Entrepreneurship Thrives in Prattville, AL

Courtesy of Battleground Axe

In downtown Prattville, you’ll find more than just charming storefronts and local flavor; you’ll also find the footprints of Darri Edwards, a serial entrepreneur who has quietly built a business empire while helping shape the city’s economic and cultural landscape. 

From ax throwing and kayaking to cocktails and skin care, Edwards and his wife, Adrienne, have launched and grown a diverse slate of businesses throughout Autauga County. But before he was a business owner, Edwards spent 16 years working in banking, an experience that sparked his entrepreneurial dreams. 

“Banking gave me a chance to see how businesses start and operate,” Edwards says. “At first, I thought entrepreneurship was just about freedom, getting to be your own boss. But it became about building something meaningful.” 

Courtesy of Prattville Paddle Sports

One Step at a Time

Edwards’ first step into entrepreneurship occurred in 2012 with the introduction of vending machines. This hands-off venture gave him a taste of business ownership. But his ambitions quickly expanded. 

He opened Adrienne’s Downtown Bar in 2016 in a historic building owned by his wife’s family. The concept was rooted in nostalgia from Edwards’ post-college days bartending in London. 

“It was always a dream to open a bar,” he says. “When we had the chance, we ran with it.” 

From there, the business ventures multiplied and diversified. Where others saw gaps, Edwards saw bright opportunities: 

• The Battleground Axe, an ax-throwing venue, emerged as a needed entertainment option in downtown Prattville. 
• Prattville Paddlesports, a kayak rental business, was revived after its original owners prepared to shut it down. Edwards has operated it since 2022. 
• The Stinger, a restaurant on Alabama State University’s campus in Montgomery, launched in 2024 to meet student demand for on-campus dining options. 
• Smart Skin Medspa & Salon, where Edwards is a partial owner, expanded his reach into health and wellness. 
• Just a Taste, a food truck parked in the heart of downtown, offers a bite-sized way to support local food culture. 

Courtesy of Darri Edwards

Built on Team

While Edwards brings the vision, he’s quick to credit the people around him for the success. 

“My wife is amazing with accounting, and I also have a great team,” he says. “If you can’t manage well and surround yourself with good people, then your business will not thrive.” 

Edwards believes one of the most significant barriers to entrepreneurship is fear. “A lot of people don’t leap,” he says. “But you’ll never know unless you try.” 

He also emphasizes that entrepreneurship is no shortcut to an easier life. “I feel like I’m working nine days a week, 48 hours a day,” he jokes. “But if you want it, you have got to take the chance.” 

Courtesy of Darri Edwards

Community Support

For those thinking about starting a business in Prattville, Edwards offers both encouragement and caution. 

“Be ready to work. But if you’re willing to put in the time and energy, this community will support you,” he says. 

And support goes both ways. “Prattville has been good to me,” Edwards says. “So I try to be good to Prattville in return.” 

Edwards serves on the board of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce and is actively involved in several local nonprofits, including Butterfly Bridge. He says the support from the chamber and city leadership has been instrumental in his business success. 

“The chamber helped us navigate everything from licenses to inspections when we opened the bar. They pointed us in the right direction,” Edwards says. 

A City on the Rise

Prattville’s growth has paralleled Edwards’ journey, and he sees even more potential ahead. 

“This area is growing fast, and Montgomery’s expansion is spilling into Prattville,” he says. “It reminds me of Hoover, Alabama, in the 1990s. What it was then, I think Prattville can be now.” 

At age 50, Edwards is beginning to think about scaling back but not slowing down. 

“I want to work hard until 55, then enjoy it more,” he says. “I’ve got my eye on real estate. That’s where I see the next big opportunity.”