Reviewed by: Pat Byington
EXCLUSIVE: Filter Coffee Parlor founders selling coffee shop after 5 years
This week, Bham Now learned that James Little and Jill Marlar—founders of Filter Coffee Parlor in Five Points South—are selling the beloved coffee shop after five years. We spoke with James and Jill and new owner Jeremie Kirkwood to learn more.
Founded in Five Points South in 2019
At the time, both James and Jill had been thriving in successful, independent careers. Jill had been a teacher at a local school for over two decades while also running her own business teaching after-school art, drama, and music classes to kids. James had been the Neighborhood District Manager with REV Birmingham for 13 years, where he worked with community leaders, helped local business owners and even founded Birmingham Restaurant Week in 2009.
However, James had always dreamed about owning his own coffee shop. James’ coffee career began right out of high school when he landed a manager job at Barnie’s Coffee & Tea at Century Plaza and Riverchase Galleria. After leaving Barnie’s, he worked as the assistant manager & roaster at O’Henry’s Coffee and a manager at Starbucks before leaving for REV Birmingham.
“I have always wanted to own my own coffee shop, and through my work with REV Birmingham, I had a lot of experience in helping new businesses thrive. Knowing that there was a master plan in Five Points South, I knew it would be a good time to transition and open a coffee shop.”
James Little, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
In his spare time, James started developing the concept for a new coffee shop, named “Filter” after both the three-point coffee filter and the three “points” of their family: James, Jill and their daughter, Ruby.
“During a beach trip for Ruby’s fifth birthday, she came down with a bad chest infection. While she rested, James and I developed the business concept for Filter on a notepad. By the time we got back to Birmingham, we had already developed a business plan, a logo and had been in touch with Bob Moody, who owns the property where Chez Fon Fon is located. We were ready to hit the ground running.”
Jill Marlar, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
Then, a stroke of luck. The Starbucks that had operated in Five Points South since 1997 dropped its lease, and a tried-and-true coffee space was suddenly on the market.
The timing could not have been better.
“James had been a manager at that Starbucks when we got married, and so he said, ‘That’s the spot. We’re going to put Filter Coffee Parlor in that spot.’ And that’s where it all started.”
Jill Marlar, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
Five years in Five Points South
James and Jill officially founded Filter Coffee Parlor on January 7, 2019—exactly five years and 3 days ago. While James managed the day-to-day aspects of the coffee shop, Jill focused on their baked goods and began hosting a monthly series of art galleries in the upstairs section.
“When we opened, I started reaching out to artists to come in and hang their work. After a while, the artists started coming to us. We consistently had a new artist every month—even during the shutdowns—and for many of our artists, their gallery at Filter was their first art show. Looking back, I’m really proud that we were able to showcase those artists over the years.”
Jill Marlar, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
Unfortunately, things took a turn in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the hardships, James and Jill found ways for Filter to thrive. For instance, Jill created a new food program at Filter utilizing local, sustainable ingredients—meaning they wouldn’t have to order anything from a distributor.
“COVID forced a lot of people, including ourselves, to see who they were and who they want to become. For us, COVID made us think seriously about becoming more sustainable and limiting our impact on the Earth and our community.”
James Little, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
A new chapter for James, Jill and Ruby
After five years of growing Filter Coffee Parlor from scratch into the beloved community pillar that we know today, James and Jill have decided to pursue the next chapter in their life.
During COVID, James and Jill—who both trace their roots to Butler and neighboring Crenshaw County, where their ancestors arrived via the federal road in 1819—would take Ruby to a family farm near Greenville in Butler County. Through their visits, they fell in love with the community in Greenville. Now, they’ve decided to make the move to Butler County to be closer to family.
“For us, Filter has been a defining chapter of our lives and was necessary for us to discover our future. Although we are leaving, we feel good about it because Filter is going to be in great hands, has an excellent team and will continue to be a community hub. We’re excited for this next chapter in our lives and the opportunity to bring our talents to a smaller town, know that what we’ve built in Birmingham will sustain.”
Jill Marlar, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
Although James and Jill are leaving, they’ll always look back on their time at Filter Coffee Parlor with fondness.
“Over the past five years, we’ve met incredible customers and regulars who supported us through thick and thin. From our opening in 2019 to the present—even through COVID—our customers have always been there for us, and we are truly grateful and appreciative.”
James Little, Co-Founder, Filter Coffee Parlor
Meet the new owners of Filter Coffee Parlor
Ushering in the next chapter of Filter Coffee Parlor are new owners Jeremie and Leigh Kirkwood. Like James, Jeremie has always had a passion for coffee—in fact, James and Jeremie worked together back at O’Henry’s. During the pandemic, Jeremie and his family would come to Filter several times a month to buy pastries in bulk.
As the two families got to know each other, Jeremie would talk about his passion for coffee and his hope to one day have his own coffee shop—not knowing that one day, James and Jill would pass Filter along to him.
“The reason I love coffee so much is that, at its heart, coffee is comprised of community, conversation and service. By getting a customer that cup of coffee, its going to make their day a little bit better, help them get things done and offers them the chance to escape the demands of their day by stepping away from their desk to enter into a more positive and relaxing environment.”
Jeremie Kirkwood, Owner, Filter Coffee Parlor
Over the past few months, Jeremie and Leigh have spent countless hours learning the ins and outs of the business from James and Jill. Moving forward, Jeremie will be running the day-to-day operations at Filter, while Leigh—a full-time clinical research nurse at UAB—will fill in when she can.
“My hope would be to only build upon the hard work the relationships, the culture and the community that Jill and James have cultivated for Filter over the past five years. The staff are wonderful and have been excellent in this transition, and we can’t wait to continue the great things that Filter has become known for.”
Jeremie Kirkwood, Owner, Filter Coffee Parlor
What are your favorite memories at Filter Coffee Parlor? What are you excited to experience with Filter moving forward? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
