By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

I am constantly surprised by the things I, and maybe you, Montevallo readers, do not know about our own downtown. I decided to take a walk and see what I might discover.

Starting out on the beautiful new promenade, I immediately spied the exciting new banners depicting one of Tim Tingle’s cedar carvings, and encouraging folks to shop Montevallo.

My first stop was at the nice new Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., they feature lots of sports wear with the UM logo, textbooks, and a good assortment of bestsellers.

Across the street I noticed Subway is now open for breakfast.

Next door, I visited with Don Leipert, the agent-owner of the new Allstate Insurance Agency. Agency producers are Daniel Hipps and Walter Gunn; and then there are four other employees doing telemarketing, making up to 2,000 calls a day. The office has its grand opening on Sept. 12.

Peeping in the windows at J&D Furniture, I saw some really interesting and unusual furniture; no time to browse, but I’ll be back.

Next door to El Agave, I stopped in to meet Erica Murphy at the Natural Beauty Studio. She stays extremely busy specializing in dreadlocks, sew-in braids, kids’ braids and all natural styles.

On over to check out Falcon Art Supply, where I chatted with Becky Cox-Rodgers, and discovered a surprising number of artistic gifts, in addition to the art supplies.

Stopped in for some delicious catfish at the Main Street Tavern, and then walked on down Middle to Video Underground, where I met owners Chris and Lisa White, and picked up “The Great Gatsby.” It’s a small store, a small price ($3.75/3 days) and the very latest videos.

Then I ended my walk with a visit with the nice young man at Sweet Ink Tattoo. He said that their smaller tattoos (maybe, two inches), comes in all colors, costs $40, and takes about 30 minutes. How about that?

My “walkabout” was fun so I urge you to try it; the folks are friendly, the prices reasonable, and I just bet you discover something, or someone, you haven’t known before.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clett2@bellsouth.net.