FOLEY — A grassroots effort, organized by a group of concerned citizens and business owners, is under way to revitalize the uptown Foley area.

Led by Mell Davis and Anthony Kaiser, this group is dedicated to bringing back life and vitality to the uptown area, making it more enjoyable for citizens, tourists and local merchants.

“I am a believer in what Foley once was and can be again.” says Davis. “This is a wonderful community and we want everyone to visit uptown Foley and enjoy the surroundings, heritage and local merchants dedicated to making uptown Foley a bustling part of our city.”

Calling themselves the Uptown Foley Committee, Davis, Kaiser and group are working on plans to create a Fall Foley Market to be held throughout the alleyway behind the Hotel Magnolia and Magnolia Court Restaurant between U.S. 98 and Jessamine Street in uptown Foley.

The Foley Fall Market will take place each Thursday evening during the weeks of Oct.14 through Nov.4 from 5-7 p.m. Citizens of Foley and surrounding communities are invited to attend free of charge, enjoy live music from area bands including Roman Street and Soul Monkey, take part in the group’s newly created community art project, talk to local merchants and buy locally grown produce from area farmers.

The Foley Fall Market is the first phase of the group’s “Shop Local” initiative promoting the local merchants and positive impact citizens have on the City of Foley when purchasing from locally owned businesses. According to Davis, the Uptown Foley Committee’s goal is to promote the fact Uptown Foley is open for business.

“Uptown Foley has a great footprint and we are excited to reintroduce this quaint part of town to our neighbors. More importantly, we want to reintroduce our citizens to each other to create a real sense of community and togetherness,” Kaiser explained.

For up-to-date information on the upcoming Foley Fall Market including dates, times, layout and application, and for information on future Uptown Foley events, please visit www.UptownFoley.com.