7 new + coming soon businesses around The Magic City, including the revival of an old Bham restaurant

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Lag's Eatery
Lag’s Eatery is being revived by two former employees from the original restaurant. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Welcome to another week, Birmingham!

From an awesome new LEGO store in Vestavia Hills to a classy speakeasy opening this week in downtown Birmingham, check out what’s new and coming soon to The Magic City. Read on for all the details.

Now Open

1. Monroe’s on Main | Warrior

(Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

A sweet blast from the past has just arrived in Warrior! A charming, retro-inspired ice cream shop is now open, offering a fresh take on classic flavors, floats, malts and more.

The shop is owned by Todd Payne and named after his daughter, who gave him the inspiration to add to the Warrior community. Plus, the Paynes use their business to give back to the community—check out their volunteer events coming up this month.

2. Bricks & Minifigs | Vestavia Hills

Are you a LEGO enthusiast? A new store near the Vestavia Hills City Hall Complex is the place for you.

Bricks & Minifigs, a new and used LEGO toy retailer, opened its second location in Alabama earlier this month. The LEGO “wonderland” is located at the former site of Pinnacle, Cards & Games.

3. Yamato Japanese Steakhouse | Pelham

IMG 1112 7 new + coming soon businesses around The Magic City, including the revival of an old Bham restaurant

A new Japanese steakhouse is now open in Pelham.

Located at the Pelham Plaza Shopping Center, Yamato serves fresh sushi, hibachi entrees and affordable lunch specials. Whether it’s date night or you’re just stopping by, Yamato’s chef’s table atmosphere makes it a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy delicious cuisine.

Coming Soon

4. Odette | Pepper Place

Big news for Pepper Place! Odette—a new interior design studio specializing in timeless styles and modern trends—is coming soon to the former Richard Tubb Interior space.

This woman-owned store offers a wide selection of unique pieces, textures and designs to spice up your home.

5. Pogo Cocktail Bar | Downtown Birmingham

Pogo Cocktail Bar, an era-spanning speakeasy tucked under 1st Avenue North’s Armour House brasserie, opens for business on Friday, November 22.

This underground speakeasy will serve expert-crafted cocktails and unique wines, among a classy, historic atmosphere. The bar also plans to host regular live jazz performances.

(Psst…Bham Now got a sneak peak from the owners—take a look!)

6. Lag’s Eatery | Avondale

After a nearly year-long renovation, the team behind the new Lag’s Eatery is putting on the final touches and aims to welcome their first guests in the coming weeks.

In the 1970s, Anthony “Lag” Gagliano founded the original Lag’s Eatery in Homewood, which now houses Sorelle Cafe. Over its original four-decade run, Lag’s Eatery was the first job for countless youngsters growing up in The Magic City—including Justin Shubert and Eric Wallace.

“Reopening Lag’s Eatery has been something Eric and I have dreamt about for a long time. The original Lag’s shaped both of our lives, so we’re excited to show people why this place meant to much to us. 

It’s more than just food—it’s about the community, the regulars and everything that made us love Lag’s to begin with. That’s what we want this space to become.”

Justin Shubert, Co-Owner, Lag’s Eatery

Lag’s Eatery will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

7. Terrific New Theatre | Downtown Birmingham

Screenshot 2024 11 14 at 3.11.29 PM 7 new + coming soon businesses around The Magic City, including the revival of an old Bham restaurant
Terrific New Theatre’s new theater space debuts November 21. (Sunny Nguyen / Bham Now)

Terrific New Theatre will begin its 2024-25 season in a brand new downtown Birmingham theater space beginning November 21!

The 35-year-old non-profit community theatre company has been in search of a new home since leaving its previous space in Pepper Place in 2020, and has finally found it on 5th Avenue North. TNT’s new space will give the company some resources its never previously enjoyed, including a larger lobby area for pre- and post-show gathering, and a backstage area featuring a shop for set construction. 

Check out what’s new + coming soon

Which business are you most excited to see in Birmingham? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!

Grace Howard
Grace Howard
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