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Cook Out’s 2nd location opening in Southside + 7 other openings
ByChaise Sanders
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This week, we’ve got a diverse lineup of new openings and staple Birmingham businesses that are relocating. From exciting new restaurants, local libraries and one of my favorite antique stores where you can find just about anything, here are some fresh developments to keep on your radar.
1. What’s on 2nd
What’s On 2nd owner Steve Gilmore. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now 
New location of What’s On 2nd in Five Points South. They will move in the space in January 2021. Photo via Pat Byington for Bham Now
If you haven’t ventured into the eclectic collection at What’s on 2nd, what have you been waiting for? This popular shop that opened on 2nd Avenue North in 2007 is now on 1st Avenue and is now moving to Five Points South at the beginning of 2021.
The new storefront will be in the Spanish Stores building near the “Storyteller Fountain”, Chez Fon Fon and Highlands Bar and Grill. What’s on 2nd—which will be on 20th Street—is expected to open in early 2021.
2. Prints Charming Soho
The European-inspired home decor shop, Prints Charming Soho has opened in Mountain Brook’s English Village. From antique art to eclectic decorations, Prints Charming Soho is holding their ribbon-cutting event on December 9 and will be open from 10AM-6PM Tuesdays through Saturdays.
3. European Kitchens of Alabama
European Kitchens of Alabama will give you all of the kitchen goals you could want. The high-end business is moving to Avondale from the Phoenix Building where they’ll have a renovated office space with a more modern aesthetic.
With their move, comes an expansion of the products they offer which include high-end, European products like kitchen cabinets, appliances, furniture and more.
4. QuikTrip
The popular gas station chain, QuikTrip is coming to Calera. Developers recently broke ground on the new site on U.S. 31 where the 8,000+ square-foot location will be. QuikTrip is known as a fan-favorite pitstop on road trips with delicious pizza and clean restrooms. It’s set to open before the end of next year so be on the lookout.
Supposedly, developers are also looking to bring another QuikTrip to Fultondale, but the development isn’t official quite yet.
5. Cook Out
Attention all Cook Out fans, milkshake lovers and late-night foodies. If you haven’t heard, Birmingham is getting a second Cook Out location in Southside and they’re making quick progress.
Next time you’re driving on 24th Street South or 3rd Avenue South near Goo-Goo Car Wash, look over and that brick building with red trimming you see, is going to be the new spot for the fast-food restaurant. Cook Out is set to open in 2021 and we can’t wait.
6. Bandit Pop-up
Shoppe in Forest Park is every plant lover’s dream. Photo by Chaise Sanders for Bham Now. 
Photo via Bandit’s Facebook
The Bandit Patisserie pop-up, The Butcher and The Baker, is on for round two and this time it’s in Forest Park. It’ll be located at the oh-so-lovely Shoppe and General stores where you’ll be able to enjoy a night of charcuterie, pastries and wine.
The Butcher and The Baker will take place on Monday, December 14 from 5PM-9PM so mark your calendars for the cutest, tasty pop-up event.
- Location: 3815 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Instagram (@bakingbandits) | Instagram (@banditbham)
7. Little Donkey + Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Catfish + tacos? Hmm I’ll give it a try. Photo via Little Donkey Facebook 
We can’t forget the food, of course! Photo by Matthew Niblett for Bham Now
Back in April, we shared that Little Donkey and Rodney Scott’s BBQ had plans to open new locations in Homewood. Now we’ve learned that the project is moving forward and these two tasty restaurants will soon be ready to serve their mouth-watering eats next year.
The combined restaurant space will be next to The Valley Hotel development in the heart of Homewood which is set to open its doors in January.
- Location: The corner of 18th Street South and 28th Avenue South in Homewood
8. Birmingham Libraries
All 18 branches of the Birmingham Library have reopened after a vote by the board. This is great news because not only does it allow access to countless resources, but it allowed 73 full-time furloughed employees to return to work on December 7.
To stay up to date with the latest and greatest in Birmingham news, follow us on social @BhamNow.
