Mentone, Alabama
A welcome retreat for art lovers
Story and Photos by Colette Boehm
Hoot Owl Hollow offers three unique cabins.
If you are looking for a quiet getaway to enjoy some beautiful scenery and a surprising variety of art, the tiny North Alabama town of Mentone is an excellent choice.
I had been to Mentone a few times to enjoy the fall foliage and to check out some hiking and birding locations, but my last visit was aimed at exploring the town’s art scene.
For a town with a population of only 342 residents, it is amazing that Mentone supports two thriving arts organizations and a calendar full of art-centered events. In addition, the “artistic spirit” of the community is clearly on display at many of this small town’s shops and businesses.
Highway 117 runs through the center of town, but don’t expect to find a classic downtown here. This central corridor is lined with local businesses and leads to scenic views over “the brow” to the valley below, or to waterfront views near Little River Falls.
The first spot for art lovers to check out is the Make Your Mark on Mentone mural, which changes seasonally. Artists are invited to create a scene, commissioned by a local arts group, to be displayed as part of a rotating collection of chalk murals. The mural is displayed in a downtown park on the grounds of the Mentone Inn, and provides a background for farm markets, festivals and other community events held at the park. Murals change every few months and reflect the seasons, stories and spirit of Mentone.
Just down the road, the Mentone Arts Center displays the work of more than 60 artists and makers who are inspired by the Lookout Mountain region. These artists either grew up in the area, live there or have a strong connection to the Mentone and Lookout Mountain area.
The works throughout the gallery include paintings in oils, pastels and watercolors, stained glass, pottery, woodwork, jewelry and more. The center hosts performing artists and serves as a listening room for special musical events including monthly free Songwriters in the Round sessions.
There is also a slate of classes offered, which Executive Director Randy Grider sees as an opportunity to make art more accessible and less intimidating to all.
“We bring in visiting instructors for art classes,” Grider said. “That allows affordable classes for novices. We see about a 50-50 mix of locals and visitors. It’s fun for moms and daughters or couples. And so many of them will come back for another one.”
He said visitors are frequently art enthusiasts who are looking to get away and experience an “authentic” location. “I think there’s a ‘real’ feeling here in Mentone,” he added.
Little River Arts Council is another group focused on supporting and promoting the arts. The council hosts a small gallery and various programs on the campus of the historic Moon Lake Village. Programs throughout the year include pop-up art events, a summer music series and the annual Mentone Fall Festival, held each October. The group is also raising funds for the Moon Lake Arts Collective, a proposed public-access pottery and arts studio, to be added to the Moon Lake campus. The collective will also include a new art gallery for the council.
Juli Jordan, president of the arts council, is a former Pensacola resident who moved to Mentone to live on family property, where she has created rental cottages that provide an art-filled retreat for visitors. Set amid forested land, Hoot Owl Hollow is just a short walk from Main Street but feels a world away. It offers three unique rental cabins. Conceived, designed, decorated and managed by Jordan, each offers a magical setting for a getaway.
“Ninety-nine percent of the people who stay here talk about how much better they feel, that they were able to relax and how quiet and peaceful it is. I enjoyed fixing the places up and providing the space, but I think it really feeds their soul. It does mine,” Jordan said.
The cabins are filled with art and creative touches and each has an outdoor sitting area perfect for taking in the sights and sounds of the vast, wooded property.
The popular Wildflower Café is a Mentone staple known for its funky, shabby décor and creative menu. The café incorporates local food and music, along with an artistic spirit, into its one-of-a-kind setting. From the abundance of native plants, to the gift shop filled with local art and clothing, to the warmth of the various dining rooms, owner L.C. Moon is proud to have created a spot where patrons come for more than a meal.
“Food is one way to feed your soul,” she said, “but the Wildflower is a place where you can feed your soul through the experience, as well.”
The tomato pie is the café’s signature dish, but the menu includes Southern favorites, burgers and Caribbean specialties.
Nearby the Hatter Café is also a restaurant like no other. The Alice in Wonderland-themed spot is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a list of specialty teas and coffees. The remodeled home was opened as a restaurant in 2018 by a couple who took to heart the quote fairy tale quote, “The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make you smile. It is then, and only then, that you’ll find Wonderland.”
Mentone has become a wonderland for those looking for a quiet getaway with beautiful scenery, eclectic art and authentic folks who love creating and sharing their work and their home.
Want to Go?
Hoot Owl Hollow
Where: Mentone, Ala.
Info: hootowlmentone.com; 256-273-9510
Wildflower Café
Where: 6007 Ala. Highway 117, Mentone, Ala.
Info: mentonewildflower.com; 256-634-0066
The Hatter Cafe & Country Inn
Where: 4277 Ala. Highway 117, Mentone, Ala.
Info: thehattercountryinn.com; 941-376-6810
Mentone Arts Center
Where: 5951 Ala. Highway 117, Mentone, Ala.
Info: mentoneartscenter.org; 256-674-3366
Little River Arts Council
Where: 5866 E. River Road, Mentone, Ala.
Info: littleriverartscouncil.org; 256-674-3366
