Happy Monday, Birmingham! You know the drill. We’ve got the hottest news you may have missed from the past week, including the demolition on Carraway Hospital, new openings and more. Keep reading to get your week started right.

5 new Birmingham openings that you have to check out

What’s happening: As always, we’ve got you covered with exciting new openings and businesses coming soon.

Now Open:

• Southern seafood kitchen + bar, The Battery, is now open in Homewood. Psst! Executive Chef, Jeffrey Compton, is facing off in New Orleans for King of American Seafood title.
• Grab some ‘za at the new Slice location in Montevallo, serving up some of the best pizza pies, salads and brews around.

Coming Soon:

• Fan favorite Rodney Scott’s BBQ is opening its Trussville location on August 2. Plus, Hero Doughnuts is opening right next door on August 23. Talk about a match made in heaven.
• Speaking of donuts, Son’s Donuts is opening a new donut truck to take their tasty treats on the go. According to the comments on Instagram, they’re shooting for an early August opening.
• Bandit Patisserie is popular for their delicious pastry pop-ups at The Essential and The Market at Pepper Place, but their permanent storefront on 1st Ave is opening in August.

Read more.

Demolition of Birmingham’s Carraway Hospital has begun

What’s happening: The long anticipated demolition of Carraway Hospital has officially begun. Before the end of the year, eight other buildings on the site are scheduled for demolition.

Why it’s important: Carraway Hospital was a Birmingham landmark for just about 100 years, with roots dating back to 1908 and closing its doors in 2008. Corporate Realty has been working for years on the planned transformative mixed-use development, The Star Uptown, to take its place. While this demolition marks the beginning of a new era for this plot of land, according to developers, Carraway Hospital’s iconic blue star will be refurbished and remain on site.

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Make way for a new Guthrie’s on Highway 280

What’s happening: Chicken tender lovers will be thrilled to know that a new Guthrie’s is coming to the former Zaxby’s space on Highway 280. An opening date has not been announced yet.

Why it’s important: Because who doesn’t love chicken fingers? Founded in Auburn in 1982, Guthrie’s is considered to be the pioneer of fried chicken finger-only restaurants, and they’ve got the tasty food to prove it.

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Zoe’s Kitchen-Homewood is now closing

What’s happening: Casual Mediterranean spot Zoe’s Kitchen is officially closing in Homewood.

Why it’s important: This marks the third Zoe’s Kitchen location to close in Birmingham over the last three years. CAVA, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain, bought Zoe’s Kitchen in 2018. Since then, they have been flipping former Zoe’s locations into CAVA’s. Only time will tell if that’s what will replace this Homewood Zoe’s location.

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The Hardwick’s renovation has begun, right on the Rotary Trail

What’s happening: Renovations have officially begun on The Hardwick, an 111-year-old steel processing plant located on the eastern end of the Rotary Trail downtown. Bayer Properties, The Opal Fund, Williams Blackstock Architects, Stewart Perry and Schoel Engineering make up the renovation team.

Why it’s important: Plans for The Hardwick have been in the works for years, and now we’re one step closer to its multi-million dollar redevelopment—an ideally-located 61,000 SF mixed-use community hub featuring office and restaurant space. The anticipated completion date is set for early 2024.

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