Antique Alley Yard Sale includes downtown focus this year
By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
May 14, 2003
This year's Antique Alley Yard Sale is making an extra effort to include downtown businesses in Meridian.
Organizers said the fifth annual event, which begins Thursday and ends Sunday, will offer 502 miles of yard sales along U.S. 11 from Meridian to Bristol, Va.
Connie Royal, cultural affairs coordinator for the city of Meridian, said the event is planned from sunup to sundown all four days. She said plans are in the works to include more businesses next year.
The concept for the U.S. 11 sale was created by tourism officials in Alabama and Georgia to pull people off the interstate and major highways and into the heart of business districts and downtown communities.
The event is open to businesses, residents and organizations who will be able to set up their items at one of the following approved sites in and around Meridian:
Jack Allen Texaco on the corner of Eighth Street and 26th Avenue.
Singing Brakeman Park next to Union Station on Front Street.
Old Irving Motel on Highway 11/80 just past Howard Johnson's.
Malone Ranch on Highway 11/80 near Old Irving Motel.
Williams Country Express Grocery, 1734 Highway 11/80 in Russell.
Roberson Laundromat in Toomsuba, address unavailable.
Old Dixie Gas Station in Kewanee, address unavailable.
Royal said downtown businesses along Front Street that also are participating in the yard sale include The Once &Again Shop, Around The Corner, Ellen's Antiques &Interiors and Linens By Aimee.
Sharon Smith with Main Street Meridian said other downtown businesses participating include Bonnie Busbee Art Frame &Gallery and The Bible Bookstore, both on 23rd Avenue, and Peavey Melody Music on 22nd Avenue.
Vickie Gatlin, owner of Around The Corner, an antique and gift shop that has been in business on Front Street for about two years, said she is glad to see organizers try to build up the yard sale.
Royal also said the event would be a perfect opportunity for teams involved in the Lauderdale County Relay for Life campaign to sell items and earn money for the American Cancer Society.
In addition to small towns, Antique Alley will follow U.S. 11 through larger cities such a Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn. both of which are between Meridian and Bristol.
