CityView Magazine

20 June 2023 since 2009 across from Rude Awakening. Kelly also applauds Arnold's vision. "Molly has been instrumental in the economic development of downtown Fayetteville," Kelly says. "Not only did she choose to spend her time and resources to revitalize old downtown buildings and create thriving businesses, she also chose to spend her time and energy empowering entrepreneurs through her leadership and mentorship in her work with the Downtown Alliance, the Cool Spring Downtown District and myriad other downtown organizations or committees. "Molly is passionate about making downtown a vibrant place to live, work and play. She is a strong advocate for policies that support the small business environment downtown. "Molly Arnold's vision and leadership continue to create a lasting impact and inspire many others," Elaine Kelly says. "But she always has time to sit down and talk to anyone who wants to know how to start a small business downtown." for property downtown to use for our media production company, Moonlight Communications," Johnson says. "We had been inspired by Eric Lindstrom, Chris and Nasim Kuenzel, and Greg King, among others. Even though downtown was practically a ghost town at that point, we knew we wanted to be there. Aer looking at several properties, we decided on the building at 221-223 Hay St. Molly met with us downtown in front of the Rude Awakening, Cameo and Rainbow Room buildings to make sure we really knew what we were getting into." Arnold saw something in the two businesswomen, who are skilled at video production. "We must have exuded confidence, because she agreed to sell us the building," Johnson says. "During that meeting, she did what Molly always does: Share her vision of what downtown could be and would eventually become." Johnson and Wright wanted to be a part of Arnold's vision for downtown. "Molly and Bruce were always leading from the front," Johnson says. "She was among the first people to look at all these abandoned buildings and think they could really be something: a coffee shop, lo apartment, kitschy store, restaurant and more. From that little coffee house on Hay Street, she has helped inspire countless entrepreneurs to buy, renovate or start businesses downtown. Downtown is what it is in no small part due to the unflagging optimism and encouragement from Molly." Elaine Kelly owns Turner Lane, a gi shop

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