Winfield Main Street Program purchased the dilapidated empty building located at 136 Bankhead Highway, across the street from City Hall in downtown Winfield in late 2019. The building had sat vacant for over twenty years.
According to local historian Yank Burgess, the property was at one time the location of a furniture store and shoe repair shop owned by Claude Young and John Sullivan, the post office was there for a time, and later was home to Western Auto (Albert Holt and John Berry). Mrs. Edril Hubbert McCaleb owned the property for many years.
Main Street Program purchased this property from the family of William Vaughn McCaleb, Jr. Main Street renovated the area and donated the property to the City of Winfield. It has now become The Patio which is an open-air area with various colorful business facades including a restaurant (Café 136), Hometown Bakery, a Barber Shop, Friends Coffee - N - Books, Happiness Unlimited Pets, a theater, and a Chinese Restaurant, Chef Foo Linn Yoo. “Ideally, we wish these were actual, thriving businesses, but if that were not possible, our goal was to make this an attractive, useful addition to our downtown,” said Don Studdard, president of Main Street.
The Patio has a gazebo, tables, chairs and benches, and offers free Wi-Fi and covered plugs for charging electronics. It is a very safe, inviting atmosphere with decorative lighting, beautiful flowers, herbs, and various plants. There are two photo op areas which feature a butterfly and a balloon bouquet.
Contractor for the renovation was J & M Construction. “Mike Pridmore was wonderful to work with. He was meticulous with the little details and provided many useful ideas and suggestions,” said Studdard.
Main Street would like to thank RC&D who provided a grant in the amount of $4,000.00 to be used in this project. The grant was used to purchase tables and chairs.
“We do appreciate all those who stepped up and helped us with this project. Special thanks to Casey Coats, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Turkey Creek Sand and Gravel, Derek Green of Green’s Mills, Winfield Police Chief Brett Burleson, Rob Bolton and Winfield Street Department, Melissa Pate, Main Street director Tammy Brashier and Main Street secretary Jeana Estes,” added Mary Hyche, treasurer of Main Street. “Of course, I’m not sure we could have ever completed this project without Don Studdard. As he has been for so many projects over the years, he was there from the planning stages to completion making sure everything was done to perfection.”
Main Street had wanted to do this project since being organized in 1996. Hyche and Studdard agreed this has been an incredibly special, fun project and are overjoyed to see it completed. “We love seeing people gathering outside, bringing lunch to The Patio, taking pictures or using the internet there. We hope our citizens will enjoy The Patio,” said Studdard.