4 new small businesses to check out in Birmingham, including basic.

Birmingham entrepreneurs seem to be having a moment — but then again, it seems like Birmingham’s local business scene has always been rockin’ and rollin’. It feels like new local businesses are popping up every day, so I’ve gathered up a short list one from four different categories: events, tech, retail and food.

Check out the businesses featured below and next time you’re out and about in town, keep them in mind and support small businesses!

The Competitive Edge

Ryval Events

Ryval is a new business in town that gives you the opportunity to win cash (usually $100) by playing party games like beer pong, cornhole or skee-ball. The business is headed up by Carson Buckner, Wallace Schmuck and Owen Ferguson. The trio are current and former athletes at Birmingham-Southern College, and are excited to bring the competitive spirit to bars, breweries and event spaces all over Birmingham.

“When we started this business, we wanted to put on events for bars and breweries to help enhance the atmosphere at these bars and breweries. So far we have had nothing but positive feedback from our clients and customers. We are excited to see how this company will grow in Birmingham and throughout the south!”

Ryval also hosts competitions at festivals, fraternity/sorority events and corporate events.

Antiques Roadshow To App Wisdom

Value It – hoover antique pricing app

A Hoover couple recently created an app that will help you figure out the value of your antiques! Simply download the Value It app (only for Android right now), snap a photo of your antique in question and let the community help you figure out its value. Though it is not an exact science, the developers operate on the following belief:

“There’s a long established theory in economics that states that a large crowd of untrained people making an estimate or predictions are as accurate, and in many cases more accurate, than an expert.”

The app is free and contains no ads or in-app purchases. Download it today if you have antiques lying around.

A Neutral-Lover’s Retail Dream

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by basic. (@abasicshop)

basic.

Lacey Mann Woodroof originally opened basic. as a pop-up in other spaces like Wheelhouse Salon and Winslet and Rhys, but officially opened the shop at 2026 Morris Ave. at the end of July. The shop is a retail store that focuses on ethically-made fashion, aka “slow fashion,” that is made by socially-conscious brands. The shop focuses on, you guessed it, basics. Inside you will find high-quality, neutral garments. basic. is one of a few shops in Birmingham that focuses on sourcing high-quality garments that are ethically-made.

“Neutral clothing for the colorful personality.”

Stop into basic. for one-of-a-kind clothing, shoes and accessories.

Craft Chocolate, Just As Important As Those Craft Breweries

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmMHot8HQrF/?hl=en&taken-by=honeycreeperchocolate

Honeycreeper chocolate

Honeycreeper Chocolate is also located on Morris Avenue, right next to basic. The chocolate shop started when Courtney Pigford decided to offer her love of fine craft chocolate to the public. She started to do pop-ups and tastings around Birmingham at places like Pepper Place, Winslet and Rhys, MakeBhm and West Elm. Word clearly caught on about the delicious, high-quality chocolate that Pigford was sourcing and she was soon able to open a shop. The shop opened on July 31 and is full of delicious and unique chocolate for all Birmingham locals to taste!

“Your chocolate connection. Craft chocolate bars and small batch bonbons from makers around the world.”

Honeycreeper is chocolate like you’ve never tasted before. Run, don’t walk, to the shop to get a taste.

Which new business are most excited to check out?