Talk to any of the local small business owners downtown and they will tell you that what they are very thankful for are their customers.  

To show their appreciation and to help beautify downtown, several business owners came together to place a large piece of art to welcome shoppers downtown.   

Goodgame Company donated a large round hay bale, which has been transformed into a turkey. Designed by Renee Lilly with Lilly Designs, Inc., the turkey was cut from plywood by her contractor Steven Simpson and painted by local artist and Artscape Council of the Arts President Janice Entler.  

These local small businesses want to encourage shoppers to come to Historic Downtown Pell City during the busy holiday season, especially during Small Business Saturday, a nationally recognized “Shop Small” day held on Saturday, Nov. 25. During Small Business Saturday, local shops will have snacks, drawings, and discounts. 

“I’d love to see people come downtown,” Renee Lilly, owner of Lilly Designs, Inc. and French Market said. “Every person that walks in the door supporting a small business helps support their community.”  

The business owners and members of The Heart of Pell City, a local non-profit organization that helps raise awareness for local business and the historic district of Pell City, also plan to have a Christmas Open House.  

The Open House will begin during the Pell City Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas parade, which runs down Cogswell Avenue, on Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The Christmas Open House will continue Dec. 14-16, offering refreshments, drawings, special discounts, and maybe a few special visitors.