VOL. 13, NO. 7
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
pelika Observer O
Opelika, Alabama
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Americaâs Thrift Stores to host grand opening in Opelika Nov. 19â22 Contributed by ATS Americaâs Thrift Stores announced the opening of its newest store in the Tiger Town Shopping Center next to Loweâs in the old Gander Mountain. Grand Opening Weekend will kick off Thursday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. with events, door prizes and refreshments and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 22. The Opelika store will be one of the largest thrift stores in the Southeast with its 32,000-square-foot facility and ability to stock more than 15,000 new items every day. With up to 90% off of name brand clothing and household goods, the store reinvents itself daily with donations from the community. âThis is an exciting time for our company as Opelika marks our
Pictured, from left: Hunley, McGinnis (Young Professional of the Year) and Rauch
Opelika Chamber Celebrates Members at 79th Annual Meeting Photo by Michelle Key/Opelika Observer Pictured above is the new store located at 1640 Parker Way. The logo was added to the photo.
twenty-second location across our footprint,â said Ken Sobaski, CEO of Americaâs Thrift Stores. âWe are proud to offer our unique shopping experience to Tiger Town and the entire Opelika-Auburn community, creating 100 new jobs in the community. More than
just a place to shop, we are honored to support local charities like Make-A-Wish Alabama to whom we donated one million dollars to last year.â With each new store that Americaâs Thrift Store opens in Alabama, Make-A-Wish Alabama benefits
City holds final three diversity listening sessions By Will Fairless Associate Editor The City of Opelika held its latter three Diversity and Inclusion Listening Sessions at the Opelika Municipal Courtroom on Oct. 27 (Ward 1), Oct. 29 (Ward 3) and Nov. 5 (Ward 5). The first two were on Oct. 13 and 15. âWe wrapped up the final listening session [on Nov. 5],â said Leigh Krehling, community relations officer for the city of Opelika.
âWe look forward to receiving the report and suggestions from Dr. Arturo Menefee in the coming weeks. Once we receive those, we will make a determination about how to move forward and what we can do to continue building positive relationships among all citizens in Opelika.â Dr. Arturo Menefee moderated all five listening sessions with help from Dr. Sabine Simmons. The two will be compiling a report
on what they heard from the community during the more than six hours of total meeting time. âWeâre gonna be compiling this information and presenting it to the mayor to make some positive changes.â Simmons said. Menefee said that through his research, he has found four reasons that diversity is beneficial in any community or project: there are See DIVERSITY, page A5
through their unique âDonate for Wishesâ program. For every pound of goods donated, Americaâs Thrift makes a cash donation to the state operation. In addition, the give-back offers an incentive for people to choose to doSee OPENING, page A3
Contributed by The Opelika Chamber The Opelika Chamber of Commerce held its 79th Annual Meeting at The Bottling Plant Event Center on Nov. 13, 2020, to honor and celebrate their amazing members. H & S Industrial Supplies and Services was the presenting sponsor for the event. There were
also six gold sponsors including Baxter International, Point Broadband, CMG Financial, Opelika Utilities, River Bank and Trust and Southern Union State Community College. The event was a little different this year with only half capacity in attendance and half of the participants watchSee CHAMBER, page A6
Opelika Main Street Receives Grant from Alabama Power Foundation Contributed by Opelika Main Street Opelika Main Street was presented with a grant from the Alabama Power Foundation on Nov. 6. The Gateway Grant will help Main Street fund new pole banners downtown. âWe really appreciate the Alabama Power Foundation for donating these much needed funds,â said Opelika
Index OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4
SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . . . .A7
POLITICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7
RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A13
PUBLIC NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . B11
COMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A16
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11
Main Street Executive Director Ken Ward. âThese new banners will help enhance the look of our booming
downtown while also promoting economic growth." See GRANT, page A3