Main Street gets new director
RUSSELLVILLE — New Main Street Director Erica Childers said she hopes to build momentum downtown through community events, business cooperation and increased volunteer involvement.
Childers officially began work June 1 after serving on Main Street’s board since October 2025.
She resigned from the board to accept the director’s position and will work part time through August before moving into the role full time in September.
As she takes over the position, Childers said Main Street is seeking additional volunteers and board members. The organization currently has five board members and two vacant voting positions.
“I think it takes business owners that care, but I think it really takes a community that cares even more,” Childers said is needed to bring about positive change.
She said one of the organization’s immediate focuses is “Summer on Jackson.” The event is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. June 13 on the 100 block of Jackson Avenue between Russellville Florist and Wood-Thompson Insurance.
The event will feature vendors, most of them from the Russellville and Shoals areas. Childers said some downtown businesses will also participate.
She said Main Street is replacing its former Fifth Fridays format with quarterly themed events, including “Summer on Jackson,” “Harvest on Jackson” and “Christmas on Jackson.”
Future events may also include live music featuring local performers.
She said she hopes downtown businesses will feel inclined to work together through coordinated promotions and special events.
She said she would like to see downtown become more of a gathering place for residents.
Childers said longtime Russellville residents have often spoken to her about downtown’s earlier days, when it served as a central gathering place, and young people spent evenings riding the strip.
“People, all the time, say there’s nothing to do in Russellville,” she said. “Everybody takes their kids over towards the Shoals, and I would love for downtown to be more of something that people would want to stay in town for.”
