Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Top 5 stories you missed last week—Transplant Games of America coming to Birmingham + more
Reading time: 4 minutes
Happy Monday, Birmingham! Let’s kick off the week with the top five stories you might have missed, including The Magic City being the upcoming location of the 2024 Transplant Games of America and new openings like a coffee bar at Farm Bowl & Juice Co.
1. Rougaroux to open new location + 5 other openings
Now open:
- Farm Bowl & Juice Bar has just opened a full-service coffee and espresso bar at their Homewood location on 29th Avenue South. Featured drink: Mexican Mocha—a traditional mocha with cayenne pepper for a dash of spice.
- Illustrious Tresses is now open on Morris Avenue. Owner Whitney Chanel specializes in healthy hair, weaves, natural hair care, haircuts, color and relaxed hair.
Coming soon:
- Big Whiskey American Bar & Restaurant plans to open a second Hoover location at Tattersall Park. The popular restaurant has an extensive drink menu with 120+ whiskeys available.
- GreenHouse is in the process of opening a second location in Downtown Birmingham. You may know this delicious spot from their Homewood location, right next to Ruby Sunshine.
- One of Bham’s favorite New Orlean’s-style food spots, Rougaroux, is coming to Mountain Brook Village. Keep checking for more updates!
- Scooter’s Coffee plans to open a new location in Chelsea along the US 280. It will feature a drive-thru kiosk and offer new job opportunities.
2. Birmingham awarded the 2024 Transplant Games of America
What’s happening: Birmingham was awarded the 2024 Transplant Games by The Transplant Life Foundation, which will take place July 5-10, 2024 and bring together nearly 10,000 members of the transplant community.
Why it matters: The Games honor the legacy of donors, highlights the need for organ donation, celebratess the success of transplantation and increases the national and state donor registry numbers. The Games are expected to generate over $10M in economic impact for the Birmingham region and bring in over 10,000 visitors.
3. COMING SOON: Emmy Squared Pizza to open 1st location in Alabama
What’s happening: Emmy Squared Pizza, known for their Detroit-style pizza and locally sourced ingredients, confirmed they are opening their first Alabama location this spring at The Summit.
Why it matters: They offer a “choose your own toppings” option and 19 different kinds of pizzas, including:
- Deluxe – red sauce, sausage, mushrooms and peppers
- Hot Chicken — a pizza with “Bama white sauce,” Nashville hot chicken and chopped pickles
- Margherita – red sauce and basil
- Roni Overload—red sauce with triple pepperoni
4. UAB’s Science + Engineering Complex to be completed by May 2023
What’s happening: In Fall 2021, UAB broke ground on the new $76M Science and Engineering Complex at the site of the former education building on 14th Street South between University Boulevard and 10th Avenue South. The project is now drawing to a close with an expected completion date of May 2023.
Why it matters: The goal of the new complex is to support UAB in its mission to attract faculty, increase grant funding and train the next generation of health professionals. It will also feature:
- Classrooms alongside faculty and staff offices
- Collaboration rooms designed to foster a team learning environment
- Labs that enable student shadowing
- Project-based research
5. Birmingham approves redevelopment to support Innovation Depot grads + create 311 jobs
What’s happening: The Birmingham City Council approved a project funding agreement with Nextec, LLC to redevelop and rehabilitate the 65,000-square-foot Edwards Motor Company Building located at 1531 3rd Avenue North. The area will be leased for use as a flexible workspace and collaboration area for start-up businesses graduating from Innovation Depot.
Why it matters: The projected economic impact from sales, property, use and occupational tax will be around $300,000. It is expected that 311 jobs over the next seven years will be generated.
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