50+ places that opened in Birmingham during 2019. Plus, what’s opening in 2020

Birmingham business is booming. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest Birmingham openings from 2019. Plus, look ahead at the most anticipated openings coming in 2020.

Avondale

The Avondale neighborhood is booming. From cat cafes and mouth-watering BBQ, to a kombucha taproom and sculpture garden coming soon—we love watching new businesses make Avondale home.

2019 Openings: Gatos and Beans, Rodney Scott’s, The Thirsty Donkey and more.

• Gatos and Beans, Alabama’s 1st cat café, opening August 1 in Avondale. Mural photos!
• Chef interview with Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott’s BBQ open now in Avondale
• The Thirsty Donkey now open in Avondale. Comfort food, cocktails and weekend brunch with tropical island flair (Photos)
• Luna Latin Cuisine opens in an old firehouse in Avondale

Coming 2020: Harvest Roots and Elysian Gardens

• Harvest Roots is opening a kombucha taproom in Avondale: 7 reasons we’re over the moon about it
• Birmingham businesses present winning ideas at The Big Pitch

Bessemer

Business is busy in Bessemer, and 2020 is looking bright. We’re most looking forward to the new Amazon Fulfillment Center and Carvana opening next year—and the nearly 2,000 jobs they’ll bring with them!

2019 Openings: The Back Porch, Masa Sushi + Hibachi and more.

• 8 new businesses in Bessemer, including a vegan cafe

Coming 2020: Amazon Fulfillment Center, Carvana and more.

• A first look at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Bessemer (photos & videos)
• 3 reasons why Bessemer’s new $40M Carvana dealership is a big deal

Downtown + Parkside

If you spend any time downtown, you won’t be surprised at the length of this list. The restaurant and bar scene is growing fast. If you loved the additions in 2019 like Cayo Coco and Mile End Deli, you just wait for 2020. 

2019 Openings: Birmingham Candy Company, Cayo Coco, Zaza (reopened), Crestline Bagel, Mile End Deli and more!

• Birmingham Candy Company makes a sweet move to the Pizitz Food Hall
• Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant plans July opening in Founders Station. They’re hiring now!
• Crestline Bagel Company opens at Innovation Depot in Birmingham
• Mile End Deli: A Brooklyn favorite coming to Birmingham will be opening soon

Coming 2020: Neon Moon, Unos Tacos + Ashley Mac’s in The Pizitz Food Hall and Monday Night Brewing.

• New bar concept: Neon Moon opens in Birmingham in spring 2020
• 3 new eateries are coming to Pizitz and we can’t wait!
• Monday Night Brewing to open brewpub in Parkside District by 2020

Ensley

Big plans are in the works for Ensley spanning the next few years. We can’t wait to see the transformation of the Ramsay-McCormick building. Construction should begin in 2020 with a finish date set for Aug. 2021. We’re keeping our eye on Ensley.

2019 Openings: The Modern House Coffee Shop

• See how Ensley is prime for a resurgence with a coffee shop and new space aptly named “Believe”

Coming 2020: California Country Organics (Date TBD), construction on the Ramsay-McCormick building

• California Country Organics Body Care is changing hearts and lives in Birmingham. Find out why
• Ensley’s Ramsay-McCormick Building is about to get some major TLC from the City of Birmingham.

Five Points South

What a busy year it’s been for Five Points South. So many wonderful shops and restaurants have moved in, making it a hot spot once again for Birminghamians. We’re looking forward to some major developments for the area in 2020 including its status as an Entertainment District to go into effect and the completion of the 17-story student living building.

2019 Openings: Filter Coffee, Unplugged, McFly’s, Bayleaf, Domestique Panache

• A new gathering place: Filter – Coffee Parlor opens in the heart of Five Points South
• A guide to the latest in Five Points South, including a ‘90s themed bar and ‘80s chicken joint
• Indian restaurant Bayleaf opens in Five Points Lane development featuring Bombay/Mumbai street food
• 4 tenants opening in Five Points Lane in mid-2019, including Nighthawk: AM

Coming 2020: Five Points South will open as an entertainment district and the 17-story student living building will be completed!

• Five Points South is Birmingham’s newest Entertainment District. What you need to know
• Construction on 17 story student living building in Birmingham’s Five Points South to begin

Forest Park + Highland Park

These two neighborhoods are lovely. Shopping around Forest Park on a Saturday is so nice—you have restaurants, plant shops, a vintage store and more all within a few steps. And Highland Park, just around the corner, is just a sweet to explore.

2019 Openings: General and EATS Highland

• Shoppe owners open new home store and café, General, in Forest Park
• EATS Highland, a new Southern cooking and Cuban inspired restaurant to open on September 6

Coming 2020: VINEGAR Contemporary and Highland Park’s new community garden!

• Birmingham visual-arts group VINEGAR now has two new spaces to showcase artists’ work
• What you need to know about Highland Park’s new Community Garden and how to secure a plot

Homewood + Lakeshore Parkway

Homewood is happenin’. It feels like something is popping up on every corner, and we’re not mad about it. So many cool things have made Homewood home in the last year, and there’s plenty more on the way.

And not too far away, Lakeshore Parkway is also having a moment. With the huge opening (literally) of the Premier Lux Cinema and recently Cookout, we can’t wait to see what else pops up in these two bustling areas.

2019 Openings: Bandit, Homewood Bagel Co., Ruby Sunshine, Greenhouse, Premier Lux Cinema, Publix and more.

• Team behind The Essential opens Bandit Pâtisserie in Homewood
• Homewood Bagel Company is opening a new shop at Christmas. We can’t wait!
• New Orleans-inspired brunch spot Ruby Sunshine coming to Homewood
• Greenhouse in Homewood aims to serve healthy meals for families, opening soon (PHOTOS)
• ‘Largest screen in the south’ at Premiere Lux Cinema on Lakeshore Parkway. Opening this summer.
• Homewood year in review—7 new businesses that launched in 2019
• Lakeshore Publix to become first ecommerce grocery store in Birmingham

Coming 2020: Cookout, Neighborhood Nutrition and SoHo Standard.

• Countdown to Cook Out: 5 reasons to get excited about Birmingham’s latest eatery

Hoover

Hoover is a hotbed for new business in Birmingham. We could barely keep track of everything that opened in the past year. But we have a feeling 2020 might give 2019 a run for its money. 

2019 Openings: Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, The Casual Pint, Farrelly’s Southern Bar & Kitchen and more in Stadium Trace Village.

• Exclusive preview: See what’s inside Birmingham’s first Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar, opening December 9
• Sneak peek: The Casual Pint at The Grove in Hoover is like “Cheers with craft beer”
• Hoover’s new restaurant, Farrelly’s Southern Bar & Kitchen takes a modern spin on classic Southern fare
• Here’s your update on Stadium Trace Village in Hoover. Culver’s Restaurant opens. Big Whiskey and others coming soon

Coming 2020: Melt’s 2nd Location, Super Chix, East 59 Vintage & Cafe and more.

• What’s up in Hoover? Check out 7 new businesses, including MELT!
• Cult-favorite chicken joint Super Chix is coming to Hoover
• East 59 Vintage & Café pursues a new beginning in Hoover

Lakeview + Pepper Place

Where do we even begin?! Lakeview and Pepper Place have steadily grown over the past year—whether it’s a new restaurant or retail, there seemed to always be something new to try. We are so excited for some big openings coming 2020, like Jeni’s Ice cream and Half Shell Oyster House!

2019 Openings: Dread River, Mayawell, Automatic Seafood, Brat Brot Reopened, Los Amigos moved in and more!

• ‘Largest distillery in the history of Alabama’ now open for tours and tastings. A sneak peek in Birmingham’s Dread River Distilling Company. PHOTOS
• 4 new openings in Lakeview + Pepper Place, including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
• 5 things to know about Automatic Seafood & Oysters opening April 1 in Lakeview
• Brat Brot reopens in Lakeview, and we’ve never been happier
• Wow! Check out the new Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant in the Lakeview District (photos)

Coming 2020: Jeni’s Ice Cream, Half Shell Oyster House, Hot & Hot Fish House

• 4 new openings in Lakeview + Pepper Place, including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
• Half Shell Oyster House will make their Birmingham debut in early 2020
• The Hot and Hot Fish Club is moving to Pepper Place!

Mountain Brook

2019 was a great year in Mountain Brook, and there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming year. Eateries that are already local favorites like Sol Y Luna and Blue Root Co. will be settling in Mountain Brook village in 2020, and we can’t wait. 

2019 Openings: Carrigan’s 2nd Location, Abhi Eatery & Bar, Golden Age Wine, Finch Fine Wine, Bobby Carl’s Table and more.

• Birmingham favorite Carrigan’s Public House is coming to Mountain Brook
• Mountain Brook Village welcomes new Abhi Eatery & Bar location
• Golden Age wine shop/bar focused on natural wines, sustainability opening July 19 in Mountain Brook Village
• Finch Fine Wines, a new wine store and service that includes 3000 wines online with next day delivery
• Exclusive preview: Bobby Carl’s Table, your grandmother’s comfort food in English Village

Coming 2020: Sol Y Luna, Watkins Branch Bourbon and Brassiere, Blue Root Co. and more!

• Sol Y Luna, one of Birmingham’s most beloved restaurants, is returning in December at Lane Parke
• Owner of Fig Tree prepares to open new Mountain Brook restaurant this December.
• Local food concept blueroot co. opens pop-up at Pepper Place for the month of July

Southside 

With the opening of The Battery in 2018, we knew 2019 would look good for Southside. This past year we’ve seen awesome additions to the area like District Brewing Co. and Gus’s Fried Chicken. We’re sure 2020 will not disappoint as more businesses head down south.  

2019 Openings: Yummefy, Wasabi Juans, Birmingham District Brews, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Magic City Nutrition, and more in The Battery.

• Chai Market is rebranding and opening new restaurant, Yummefy, at The Waites.
• Where in the world is Wasabi Juan’s? 3 spots to get your fix, including The Battery and Hwy 280
• The recap: Birmingham District Brewing Co. grand opening
• Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken opens 1st Alabama location at The Battery
• Meet 2 women entrepreneurs “shaking up” Birmingham with Magic City Nutrition at The Battery

Coming 2020: Birmingham’s 2nd Cookout location!

• Who’s hungry? Say hello to Birmingham’s 2nd Cook-Out location in Southside

The Summit + Vestavia

This area of Birmingham is definitely one to watch. The Summit, The Bray and more developments kept us busy writing about new openings in 2019. And the developments are chugging along in 2020. This year, we’re excited to see the completion of Wald Park!

2019 Openings: REI, Paddywax Candle Bar, UNTUCKit and On Tap Sports Cafe in Vestavia.

• Outdoor supply co-op REI coming to Summit in Birmingham
• Birmingham’s first pour-your-own candle bar is coming soon to The Summit
• 9 new stores open at The Summit, including UNTUCKit
• Look what’s opening at The Bray in Liberty Park, including On Tap Sports Cafe (and a ‘secret speakeasy bar’. Shhh!)

Coming 2020: The completion of the Wald Park development!

• 6 things to know about Vestavia Hills redevelopment of Highway 31, including the revitalization of Wald Park

Trussville 

Trussville is on FIRE. And judging by what’s headed that way in 2020, it doesn’t look like things are cooling off anytime soon. Rodney Scott’s BBQ and Hero Doughnuts are both opening locations here. *Praise Hands* 

2019 Openings: Taco Mama, Jack’s, The Pink CBD Store, Ferus Artisan Ales and more.

• 9 new businesses coming to Trussville, including Taco Mama on November 18
• A mixed-use project is coming to Trussville, plus 2 places to grab meal
• A sneak peek inside Ferus Artisan Ales opening in Trussville this October

Coming 2020: Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Hero Doughnuts, Half Shell Oyster House and more. 

• Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Hero Doughnuts + more headed to Trussville
• Half Shell Oyster House will make their Birmingham debut in early 2020

Of course we couldn’t list every single opening for 2019/2020 here, so let us know what we missed.

Send us your favorite 2019 opening or what business you’re most looking forward to seeing in 2020 on social @BhamNow!