Reviewed by: Callie Puryear
14+ new businesses in The Magic City & 4 closings—what to know
Happy Tuesday, Birmingham. Start off your week with a list of awesome openings headed to the Greater Birmingham Area and a few farewells. From a new affordable, locally-sourced grocery store to a unique dessert shop, keep reading to know the when and where.
1. Saisaki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar | Chelsea
Check out the new hibachi restaurant in town—Saisaki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. The restaurant is located off of Highway 280 in Chelsea in a shopping center across from Walmart.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 16054 US-280, Chelsea, AL 35043
2. Wrapsody | Homewood
Wrapsody, a beloved gift boutique started in Auburn over 20 years ago, is opening a fourth location in downtown Homewood. According to a sign on the 18th Street building’s window, the shop will open this fall.
- Opening: Fall 2023
- Location: 2840 18th St S, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Knit Bham | Forest Park
Knit Bham is getting ready to open its doors on September 15. The knit shop will be a place where the knitting community of Birmingham can come to get what they need, including: yarns, needles + notions, buttons + tape measures, stitch gauges + all the things a knitter could want. Knit Bham will be located where Naked Art made its home for 20 years.
- Opening: September 15
- Location: 3831 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Instagram | Facebook
4. Red Bird Produce | Avondale
Great news Avondale. A new affordable, locally-sourced grocery store is coming soon. Red Bird Produce will begin offering high-quality produce from local farmers out of the Beloved Community Corner on 41st Street in Avondale this fall.
- Opening: Fall 2023
- Location: 131 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Website | Email | Instagram
5. Take 5 Oil Change | Trussville
Looking to get an oil change? Check out Take 5 Oil Change in Trussville. The oil change station just celebrated its grand opening and is similar to the quick and easy Take 5 Car Wash. Enjoy staying in your car while you get a fast and easy oil change. No appointments or hassle—just show up and in 10 minutes you’ll be ready to go.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 3635 Mary Taylor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Maple Avenue Coffee House | Trussville
Maple Avenue Coffee House is a highly anticipated addition to the downtown Trussville scene. The new neighborhood coffee house will be a place for to-go drinks and treats, or a spot to have meetings + catch up with friends. According to owner Tracy Delaney, you’ll be able to visit them in October.
- Opening: October 2023
- Location: 110 Maple Ave, Trussville, AL 35173
- Facebook | Instagram
7. Velma’s | Trussville
Get excited! Velma’s will be re-opening after more than 10 years since closing in 2012. The beloved Velma’s, named after the owner’s wife, opened in 1938 and became a go-to community spot for burgers, beer and karaoke. The new owners Tammy and Royce Butler are putting the finishing touches on the new and improved bar. According to co-owner Royce Butler on Velma’s Facebook, they should be open for business very soon.
- Opening: TBD
- Location: 1911 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Facebook | Instagram
8. The Peach Cobbler Factory | Trussville
Have you ever heard of The Peach Cobbler Factory? The unique offering dessert shop located in Trussville near Kohl’s and Sam’s Club will offer all kinds of treats including fruit cobblers, banana pudding and cinnamon rolls. While no opening date has been released, stay updated on their Facebook page for announcements and more.
- Opening: TBD
- Location: 5870 Trussville Crossings Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
9. The Palm & Pig | Vestavia Hills
A new restaurant has opened on Highway 31 in the heart of Vestavia Hills. The Palm & Pig is a laid back fun restaurant known for their delicious food and frozen beverages. I can’t wait to try their Bushwacker. Make sure to check in on their Facebook page to see who is playing on their stage at night.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 633 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
10. Cahaba Cycles | Pelham
Great news, Pelham! Cahaba Cycles is open. Head on over to the new store to buy your dream bike or get your current bike serviced. Cahaba Cycles also offers bike rentals and sells all types of bike gear from accessories to parts and apparel.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 2271 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
11. Taco Mac | Pelham
Taco Mac is coming to Pelham. Get ready to enjoy wings, tacos, chili cheese dogs and many other delicious eats. Watch your favorite sports games over Taco Mac’s signature drinks.
- Opening: September 8, 2023
- Location: 2500 Canopy Trail, Pelham, AL 35124
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
12. The New York Butcher Shoppe | Greystone
Check out The New York Butcher Shoppe in Greystone. The neighborhood butcher & more, has everything you need from homemade prepared entrees, sides and gourmet grocery & deli.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 6801 Cahaba Valley Rd #112, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Website | Facebook
13. Tamburro’s Italian Home | Trussville
After closing in 2010, the beloved local Italian eatery Tamburro’s announced back in June that they were ready for a comeback. Now, they’re open for business. Serving many of Dick Tamburro’s original recipes along with some new options, stop by for some chicken Parmesan, manicotti or their famous creme brûlée.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 5954 Chalkville Mountain Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235
14. The Scoreboard | BHM Airport
Need a bite to eat before you catch a flight? Stop by the new sports bar in the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport. According to a post on Instagram, the restaurant will offer dine-in and patio dining options.
- Opening: NOW OPEN
- Location: 5900 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35212
- Website | Instagram
What’s closing:
1. Bizarre The Coffee Bar | Downtown
A beloved downtown coffee bar has closed its doors this week after five years of service. Will Harvill, owner, plans to open another Bizarre Coffee Bar in the area when the opportunity presents itself, reported on by the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ).
2. Magic City Grille | Downtown
Magic City Grille, the popular eatery on the corner of 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue North in Downtown Birmingham is moving to Bessemer after Sunday, September 3. The re-location comes after 25 years of serving authentic Southern food in the Central District. Magic City Grille’s owner Reggie White confirmed the eatery’s new location will open by the end of the month at 1901 2nd Avenue North in Bessemer.
3. Rochelle’s Place Coffee Bar | Center Point Shopping Center
Rochelle’s Place Coffee Bar has closed its doors at 2324 First St. NE in Center Point Plaza Shopping Center. The coffee shop opened a little over a year ago and served specialty coffees, frozen treats, sandwiches, pastries and more according to the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ).
4. Honeycreeper | Downtown
After 6 1/2 years, the popular downtown Birmingham chocolate store Honeycreeper Chocolate (2214 2nd Ave N #100) will be closing later this month. Don’t worry, though—it will be reopening as a coffee shop called Grounds in October by a previous Honeycreeper manager taking over as the new owner.
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