POWERGRAMS

33 which the friends opened in an old house they gued and renovated near the railroad tracks running down the middle of their hometown. "It's foremost a family friendly place," says Blair, sipping a Good People brew that's one of 15 featured tap varieties. "The concept was to have kids come play at a place where they can eat with their parents, who can also enjoy an adult beverage. Food trucks were very important and cra beer was very important in our planning." One of the co-owners is on hand every day when the doors open at 4 p.m.; some nights all of them are here. Restaurants make deliveries the nights there's not a food truck catering to customers. Trivia night is each Thursday, which usually brings in a "passionate" crowd hoping for prizes. Area musicians perform on the weekends. The novel mixture has proven a hit since Rails and Ales opened Nov. 17, 2017, with the popularity pushing the owners this past summer to begin opening on Sunday aernoons and offering yoga classes. A book club now meets at the business, which frequently sponsors fundraisers for local schools. There are more than 2,000 Facebook followers and high reviewer ratings. "We all live here," Blair says. "We want people to move their families to Leeds. We want the downtown area to be a place where parents can walk with their kids, or push them in a stroller, and enjoy time together." St. John says local support has been beer than expected. The biggest argument among the partners has been over the beverage selection. As St. John returns to his car with children in tow, three men working in town from South Carolina admire the evening scene, when one says to the others, "Man, I wish we had something like this back home." The Outlet Shops of Grand River For many people walking past its boulder-lined entrance waterfalls and beneath the stacked-rock columns, the Outlet Shops of Grand River represents a real winter wonderland. Since its opening in late 2010, shoppers from across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee have swarmed the more than 70 stores for holiday bargains. While kids zip past on Zoo Scoot tigers, pandas and giraffes, their mom or dad may be bargain hunting at J. Crew, Coach or Polo Ralph Lauren. A huge plastic frog, turtle and canoe on a rubber-cushioned floor are favorites of younger children just outside the food court that is a popular weekend gathering spot for teens. Seven restaurants serve a variety of foods beneath a winding blue wave ceiling paern that extends to floor and seating. "This place gets covered up on Friday through Sunday nights," says spokesperson Stacy Smith. "A lot of businesspeople come here for lunch year-round." Long, smooth benches beneath trees are interspersed throughout the H-shaped series of hallways running between stores with familiar names like Banana Republic, the Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M and Nike. There's also Artist Inc. Gallery featuring local painters and sculptors, Bert's Family Fun Center and other stores that aren't nationally known brands. "People love the landscaping and fountains, selection of outlet stores and the family-focused events throughout the year," Smith says, noting the Nov. 8 Christmas tree lighting, Dec. 8 Santa's Workshop and recent Whistle Stop Festival. "I think the average shopper ends up being here two and a half to three hours. We have a lot of families and couples driving out here to shop, dine and enjoy special events." Pedestal signs advertise specials outside some shops: Tees BOGO $5, Buy 3 Get 3. Large ornate concrete pots with colorful flowers line the walkways. Security officers on golf carts circle between shoppers and around the massive parking lot of the 332,895-square-foot facility. Two years ago the Coyote Drive-In movie theater opened at the rear of the shops, with four outdoor movie screens, playground, mini-golf, patio and huge Sports Canteen. The theater is closed for renovations but will reopen in spring 2019. It has become an araction unto itself. "About 86 percent of our shoppers are from Alabama, but it's an easy drive from Atlanta or Memphis," says Smith. "Between Grand River, Bass Pro Shops and Barber Motorsports, Leeds has become a significant destination." Alabama Power Office Antoinee Madison has taken an active role in the community since becoming Leeds Business Office manager 18 months ago. She is on the board of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Leeds Education Foundation board and the Leeds Alabama Power employees may get a free Grand Savings Card for $500 in potential savings by going to guest services in the food court and presenting a company ID. Katrina Poe, 12, tosses a bean bag as parents look on.

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