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SELMA,
a Town Reborn!
Your Antique Destination on 1-95
Selma
is a different place than it was a few years ago. The
changes are dramatic and profound for this small town
located on 1-95 and US 301 in rural Johnston County. the
Mayor, Town Manager and Town Council made revitalization of
downtown Selma their number one priority and antique
shopping is their niche market.
Recognizing that 1-95 brings 43,000 cars past their town
daily, and with a convenient location situated just 30
minutes from Wake County and Research Triangle Park, Selma
targeted this prime market of potential visitors with
substantial disposable income.
A
well-devised plan to offer "free rent" of retail space for
one year to anyone who would open an antique or arts store
in Selma was put into place. With well-placed newspaper
stories, and advertising in antique magazine publications,
the prospective dealers began calling. To date, over $1.5
million has been spent by private businesses in the purchase
and renovation of buildings. Additional advertising dollars
were invested in billboards, radio and print campaigns-the
word spread and antique shoppers came. The streets are lined
daily with cars from our of state and, on an average
Saturday, hundreds of antique shoppers will travel to Selma.
Shoppers will now find over 100,000 square feet of antiques
within walking distance of each other on a picturesque
1950's street scrape.
Antique dealers work cooperatively to
market Selma as a destination. Visitors are made to feel
welcome by me dealer's friendly and inviting nature-truly
united to make Selma's revitalization a reality.
With
success in one arena of retail shopping, Selma has attracted
more success with new restaurants locating in downtown to
feed hungry antique shoppers. A blacksmith has opened
forging ornamental ironworks, a soap maker and quilt store
add to the variety of shopping and the town is seeking other
artisans such as glass blowers and potters to locate in
Selma. With all this added to their experience, visitors
will have new and interesting changes to keep them coming
back. Antique dealers currently are planning an "All
American Christmas Festival" to attract holiday shoppers
this December.
After
the shopping is done, and visitors have found
Creech's
Drugstore and enjoyed a old-fashioned fountain lemonade, ice
cream float or milk-shake... an evening of entertainment in
Selma awaits. The American Music Jubilee in the renovated
Rudy Theatre, offers live entertainment with country music
and comedy. This
variety show is a touch of Myrtle Beach and a touch of
Branson in a 576-seat theatre. The show is drawing church
groups, motor coach groups and visitors from up and down the
East Coast. The Southern Christmas Show is a must see for
adults and children of all ages, with the show beginning the
early November and running until the week before Christmas,
with added dates and matinees. Last year's dates were
completely sold our with over 30,000 visitors enjoying the
show.
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