OPINION: Downtown Albert Lea is seeing a revival

Sep. 3—Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

I moved to Albert Lea in 2006.

Though I never witnessed what many people describe as the "glory days" in downtown Albert Lea, there is no denying there has been significant growth downtown since I moved here.

Though I have still seen several businesses come and go, there is an energy there that wasn't there when I first arrived — and it's exciting.

In the last two weeks alone, I have heard a handful of new or existing businesses that are relocating downtown.

First is Cento, which opened for a soft opening last week, offering coffee and baked goods in the morning and salads, cocktails, wood-fire pizza and other items in the evening.

In the historic Jacobson Building on Broadway, the building has been transformed into a classy, yet affordable dining establishment that I think will be a big hit for residents. Though I haven't tasted the food yet, I've read multiple Facebook posts from those who have, and everyone seemed to love it.

Another big one was when longtime clothing store Leutholds announced its plans to leave the Northbridge Mall and move downtown to Clark Street near Jake's Pizza by November. This move will be huge for the store owners, and big for downtown as well.

I look forward to seeing the store's new space and its growth there.

I'm also excited to see Maricle Martial Arts, which teaches classes in Albert Lea, Lake Mills and Northwood, announce that it is moving into the former Frames-R-Us building on Broadway.

I've heard rumors about a few other buildings, which I have not been able to verify — and this is all just in the last few weeks!

While downtown may not be at the level of the "glory" days of the past, I think it's time for more Albert Lea residents to be proud of the progress taking place there!

And as always, if we want to keep the businesses we have, we must remember to support them as much as we can — not only with words and referrals but with our own pocketbooks as well.

Remember, these are our own friends and neighbors, and as we see them succeed, our whole community in turn succeeds.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Wednesday.