MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Friday’s rain didn’t stop the ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration of downtown Mobile’s newest art collective, The Frenchmen.
To mark the opening, the Excelsior Band and Azalea Trail Maids came out and had a mini second-line parade down Jackson Street.
Members of the Mobile Chamber were also present. Senior Vice President of Member Engagement Michael Galvin said the chamber enjoys coming to grand openings and seeing business owners’ dreams come to fruition.
“This one’s particularly special,” Galvin explained. “We hear from a lot of large employers in the area that they need to retain and hire workforce and recruit them to the area, and having a vibrant downtown is a critical part of that, and obviously, the arts and entertainment play within that.”
The Frenchmen will serve as a shop and gallery where the work of local artists will be on display. Owner Leo Ferreira said a variety of classes will be taught there as well.