ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsChanging University Strip

    If you haven't noticed, the so called 'University Strip' near downtown Tuscaloosa is really doing an about-face.  It's nothing like it was one -- even two years ago.

    David Jones, Sr. owns Alabama Express...one of the longest lasting businesses on the student-geared stretch near downtown.  He's been there since the 1960's, so he's seen it transform many times.  "I like the home grown look that we had not so many chains with the big signs," said Jones.

   Now -- National Chains  such as Hungry Howies, TCBY, even Waffle House are moving in.  Students have mixed feelings.  "We've got the Waffle house opening hopefully in the next week then lots of bars,"said Colby Martin.

   Actually, there are fewer bars.  Two movie down and the size of one, The Dixie Club was reduced to make way for the Waffle House.

   Jones says the positive is -- its helped to double his daytime business.  "Since there are fewer clubs on the strip...night life -- there's not a lot of people coming at night.  Its more in the day."

   Other University students sort of like the change.  "The strip is more of a family environment now."