City of Fairfield opens Goudy Entertainment downtown and announces plans for a Dansby Food Center

If there ever was a city in our community that needs a boost – Fairfield is it. 

Just this past May, the 1910 planned model industrial city filed for bankruptcy. 

Last week, thanks to two entrepreneurs, new life has been pumped into the town.

Goudy Entertainment Opens on Gary Avenue

On July 31st, Goudy Entertainment opened its doors in the heart of downtown Fairfield at 4509 Gary Avenue.

We caught up with owner Tonya Sigers to learn more about her new entertainment center.

“I am glad to give back and put something into place that everybody from every walk of life  can enjoy,” Sigers enthusiastically told me. “This building was built in 1925.  It has a lot of history.  We’ve revived it to life.”

Sigers and her company spent a year restoring a building that was literally a shell of what it once was. Today, the building has been transformed into an ideal event space that can be used for corporate gatherings, family reunions and bridal and baby showers. 

One of the features in the main room is a beautiful mural painted by Sigers’ uncle William Goudy depicting local musicians and the arts.  From the bars to even the bathrooms, there has been a great deal of attention paid to every imaginable detail.  

Why Downtown Fairfield?

“We chose Fairfield because  Herman Carnes  – a councilman told us Fairfield needed someone to come in and give the community a boost.  We agreed to put our money here, to give back,” added Sigers.

Along with Goudy Entertainment, Tonya Sigers and her mother Patricia also run a construction and apartment business. Adjacent to the event center are six loft units currently under development by the Goudy group. The new apartment are expected to open this fall, according to Sigers. 

Very Pleased

Located near Restoration Academy, the Post Office, Fairfield Park and Christ Episcopal Church, the reaction to Goudy Entertainment has been very positive. 

“The grand opening was awesome. We want to make sure we have a positive environment. So far we are very pleased,” concluded Sigers

Dansby Food Center Coming to Fairfield

In more good news for the city of Fairfield, on Friday, the city announced Dansby Food Center will be taking the place of the shuttered Walmart supercenter. 

A redevelopment led by Birmingham native and NFL star Carlos Dansby, in addition to a grocery store, a food distribution center, business development center, and medical clinic will be redeveloped inside the over 180,000 square foot facility. 

This is the 2nd Dansby Food Center location announcement this summer. In June, the company revealed that they will be opening a new grocery store on Old Bessemer Highway near Crossplex.

Moving in a New Direction

If you have ever been to Fairfield, there are signs at the entrance to downtown that say – “Older City Moving in a New Direction.”

With these two new projects let’s hope Fairfield can continue to build momentum and grow.