Town and Gown

05/02/2026

Your game plan for Small Business Week 👇
Eat local. Shop local. Support your favorites.

May 3 to 9, let’s show up BIG for the small businesses that keep the Shoals thriving 💙

Tag your favorite local businesses and bring a friend along!

03/19/2026

Save the Date 🐣 The North Alabama Athletics Easter Egg Hunt is back!

Join us on Saturday, April 4th after the UNA Baseball game for an egg hunt on the field. First pitch is set for 1pm.

All kids receive free general admission into the game. Adults receive free admission with the donation of 5 canned food items towards our canned food drive!

11/24/2025

Small Business Saturday is almost here!
This season, Town & Gown is encouraging everyone to shop local and support the incredible small businesses that make Florence so special — including the many UNA alumni–owned businesses that continue to pour back into our community.

Whether you're grabbing gifts, stopping for coffee, or exploring downtown, every purchase strengthens Florence and celebrates the success of our UNA graduates.

Let’s show our Lion pride and support the businesses that support us. 💛💜

Shop Local. Shop Small. Shop UNA alumni.



The London Shop
Steve Pierce State Farm Insurance
Renaissance Mind and Body, LLC
+Flo


Progressive Lighting/Caroline's Interiors
Finksmusic

University of North Alabama Alumni Association
University of North Alabama
City of Florence, Alabama - Government

10/08/2025

Are you a UNA graduate who owns a business?

Sign up to be featured on Small Business Saturday Nov 30: https://forms.gle/RtseWfzY17anjJWa9

This is your chance to:
✅ Be spotlighted in a special social media campaign.
✅ Receive educational resources.
✅ Collaborate with the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, UNA’s Mane Agency, and the Small Business Development Center.

The Town and Gown Task Force, a partnership between the University of North Alabama and the City of Florence, is inviting local business owners to participate in an exciting new initiative ahead of Small Business Saturday on November 30th!

University of North Alabama Alumni Association
University of North Alabama
Downtown Florence Alliance
City of Florence, Alabama - Government

02/25/2025

A Town Update!

Mayor Betterton's Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/m2g6tw

01/30/2025

Excited for Light the Fountain in March!

Mark your calendars because THE event of the semester will be here before you know it! 🗓️

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the return of the iconic fountain after the winter frost has melted away! ⛲️

Invite your friends and family to this fun community event featuring music, fireworks, and of course—seeing the fountain shine once again! 🎇

Sponsored by: 🐮

12/23/2024

Shop local, support Lions! 🦁 We’re spotlighting amazing UNA alumni who are making waves in the Shoals. Discover, shop, and celebrate the businesses that make our community thrive! 💙💛

12/03/2024

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day to celebrate and support the incredible nonprofits that make a difference right here in the Shoals! ♥️ This global movement is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the hardworking agencies that work tirelessly to improve our community.

How are YOU spreading generosity today? 🤔 Let us know in the comments - and don’t forget to tag your favorite nonprofit to thank them for the vital work they do! Let’s inspire each other to make a lasting impact together! 🫶🏻

11/23/2024

Shop local, support Lions! 🦁 This Small Business Saturday, we’re spotlighting amazing UNA alumni who are making waves in the Shoals. Discover, shop, and celebrate the businesses that make our community thrive! 💙💛

10/26/2024

Pawloween at Sweetwater is in the books!!

Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun this morning! It was a spectacular event on a beautiful morning in the Sweetwater District.

Congratulations to the UNA English Department for winning 🏆 GOLD with their incredible Alice in Wonderland characters!

🥇 Shoutout as well to RiverCo Realty and the Florence Parks and Recreation Department for winning the silver and bronze pumpkins! 🎉

A huge thank you to all of the participants and our Town and Gown Committee made of many partners including– the Florence Public Library, United Community Bank, Bank Independent, Bean Nonprofit Consulting, along with our amazing UNA departments and City of Florence departments.

If you haven’t visited the Sweetwater District, there are so many treasures to check out, including Toasty Café, Esther’s, Staggs, Rays at the Bank, Axe Throwing, Bongos, For the Record, and more. Make sure to explore all that this vibrant area has to offer! 🍂✨

Go ahead and mark your calendar for Halloween 2025 !