🚀 Rocket City Recap

Happy Friday!

Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t talked to all 8,950 9,052 of you since last year!!

Sorry, I know that was corny, but I couldn’t help myself.

To celebrate 2025, I thought it’d be fun to offer a 25% discount on the first month of new Premium Explorer memberships.

This offer is only valid for 24 hours, so if you’ve hesitated to upgrade, now is a great time to act. Click here to get the deal. 

Alrighty, let’s get to it!

THIS EMAIL IS PRESENTED BY GET MORE PRESS

👀 Need Help Getting The Word Out About Your Local Business?

Your local business rocks. But how do you get the word out about it?

Well, my friend Takara Swoopes, founder of Huntsville Magazine, has created a free community to teach you exactly that!

Inside her free Get More Press community, she will teach you how to:

• Get your event covered by local media

• Create a winning press kit

• Follow-up without being annoying

• And so much more

Takara is offering a free 30-minute discovery call to all the members of her community.

I am a member and have gone through her lessons, and they are amazing! It’s completely free, so there is no reason not to join!

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

🚀 Rocket City Rewind

Huntsville had an exciting 2024! Before officially closing the door on 2024, I thought it would be fun to recap some of the big events from last year.

🧊 Ice Storm

An ice storm in January caused power outages and property damage, but the community worked together to recover. It was a reminder of how strong and united Huntsville can be during tough times.

🏢 New City Hall

In May, Huntsville opened its new seven-story City Hall on Fountain Circle. The modern building houses city offices under one roof. Inside, local art highlights Huntsville’s creativity and history.

🧑‍🚀 Rocket Park Opening

In August, the new $7.9 million Rocket Park opened to celebrate Huntsville’s space legacy. It features restored rockets and a memorial to NASA workers. There are also spaces for learning and community events. Visitors can explore Huntsville’s past and ongoing role in space exploration.

🌟 A Muddy Music Festival

September's South Star Music Fest brought stars like Gwen Stefani and Blink-182 to town. Despite the rainy weather and muddy fields, the fest drew big crowds and boosted local businesses. People still had a great time enjoying great music.

🍔 New Restaurants

The recap wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Huntsville’s growing dining scene. Here are a few of the new restaurants that opened this year.

• Big Bad Breakfast

• Catch 25

• Del Chuco

• Salt Smokehouse

• Tupelo Honey

• Nonna’s Restaurant

• Big Whiskey’s

• Blue Oak BBQ

• Rocket City Dog Bar

• Nitro Tales

Huntsville’s food scene will only continue to grow as lots of new restaurants are opening in 2025.

What were your favorite memories in 2024? Hit reply and let me know!

🚀 Taking Flight

💪 Phaze 3 Fitness Opens in January

Phaze 3 Fitness in Jones Valley will open later this month. It will be a friendly place for everyone, regardless of fitness level. The facility will offer fun group classes, a saltwater pool, a cardio cinema, a hot yoga studio, and access to personal trainers.

Memberships start at $24.99 per month. More info about memberships can be found here.

🐔 Chick-fil-A Madison Closing for Renovations

Chick-fil-A Madison will be closed for renovations starting at 4 p.m. on January 4, 2025. According to a social media post about the closing, the renovations are expected to take “a few short weeks.”

While they update, visit the new Chick-fil-A at 110 Tom Thrasher Lane in Madison. You can also follow them on social media to stay updated on the progress.

🤠 PBR Lockhart Closes Its Doors

PBR Lockhart Smokehouse has officially closed. After two years, the restaurant held a New Year’s Eve event to say goodbye.

The cowboy-themed restaurant was located in Bridge Street Town Centre. It combined PBR Cowboy Bar’s fun vibe with Lockhart Smokehouse’s Texas barbecue.

Their website no longer lists the Huntsville location, and the closure leaves the future of the space uncertain.

📚️ CHOOSE Act Applications Open Now

The CHOOSE Act is now accepting applications for Alabama families with K-12 students. This program gives parents school choice and helps pay for educational costs like tuition and tutoring.

Eligible students can get up to $7,000 for school. Homeschooling families can get up to $2,000. Apply online by April 7 to get an Education Savings Account.

Find out more information about the CHOOSE Act and apply online.

🐶 Local Pet Businesses Face Closure

Two Huntsville businesses are at risk of closing: Cattyshack and Dog Splash.

Cattyshack is a nonprofit cat lounge located at Lowe Mill. It faces a 25% rent hike, rising vet bills, and declining reservations. Founder Tina Cooley is uncertain about the future and expects a possible $10,000 shortfall by February.

She says the best way to support them is to purchase merchandise and reserve time to play with the kittens. Cattyshack's website has more information.

Dog Splash, Alabama's only indoor dog water park, is also in trouble despite a strong year. Owner Caleb Ballew has invested his savings but is now considering bankruptcy as early as mid-January

Ballew has set up a GoFundMe to help cover operational costs, maintain facilities, and continue offering classes and community activities.

❤️ Premium Explorer Shoutout

Thank you to our Premium Explorers for making Huntsville Explorer possible!

Don’t forget that we are offering 25% off the first month for new members. The deal is only good for 24 hours. We’ve got some big plans for our Premium Explorers in 2025. So, if you’ve been on the fence about joining, there is no better time than today!

🏡 Century 21 Home Explorer

If you’re looking for a new home, I’ve got a great one for you today. I love this house for a few different reasons:

• A 4,045 square foot home with five beds and five baths

• Spacious living and family room that’s perfect for a big family

• A dedicated study that’s perfect for a home office

This house also has one of the best kitchens I’ve ever seen!

🗓️ Explore The Rocket City

Got a fun event coming up? Let us know about it!

Saturday, January 4

• University Pickers 12th Birthday Party: Celebrate 12 years of University Pickers with 12% off from various vendors!

• Makers Market at Straight to Ale: A fun-filled afternoon of creativity, community, and adorable pets looking for their forever homes!

• The Wizard of Oz Story and STEAM at Downtown Huntsville Library: A picture book reading of The Wizard of Oz followed by two fun STEAM challenges!

• Clue: A New Comedy at the VBC: Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor!

• Wild Wonders at Monte Sano Park: Learn the importance of properly preparing for your hike!

• Frozen Trash Panda 10K and Half Marathon at Monte Sano Park: Choose between a challenging 10K or half marathon, both offering scenic views, creek crossings, and beautiful waterfalls!

• Collectors and Shooters Gun Show at the VBC: There will be tons of guns for sale!

• Music Bingo at Yellowhammer: This week’s theme is Women Who Rock!

• Laser Elton John at Campus 805: Crocodile Rock, Rocket Man, and the epic Candle in the Wind are among many selections in this special show!

• Live Music at St. Stephens: Dr. Whateva will perform live!

• Live Music at Stovehouse: Matt Prater will perform live!

Sunday, January 5

• Clue: A New Comedy at the VBC: Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor!

• Celebrations Bridal Event at the VBC: The largest bridal show in North Alabama with over 100 vendors!

• Sober Sundays at St. Stephens: Enjoy live music and a non-alcoholic drink menu!

• Live Music at Rhythm on Monroe: Victoria Greer will perform live!

Monday, January 6

• Around the Curtain Spirit Night at Panera Bread: Enjoy dinner at Panera Break and support the local kid’s theatre!

• Dallas Mill Historic District Meeting at Jackson Way: A collaborative design session for new historic street signs!

• Newborn Class at Crestwood Medical Center: A free class for moms to learn how to prepare for their baby!

Tuesday, January 7

• Fantasy Flight Book Club at Das Stahl: Perfect for anyone who loves science-fiction, fantasy, new weird, slipstream, or cyberpunk!

• Karaoke with JC at The Camp: A fun, entertaining night of karaoke!

• Live Music at Rhythm on Monroe: Mike Roberts will perform live!

*Red boxes indicate a sponsored event

Thanks for making it to the end of the newsletter! Don’t forget to take advantage of our Premium Explorer discount. The offer will be gone tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!