7 openings + 2 closures in the Birmingham area, including a new Avondale café

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Bruto in Avondale
Bruto in Avondale. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

It’s a new week in The Magic City, and that means a new roundup of businesses popping up across town.

From a new café in Avondale to an exciting development at a local factory, here are seven openings you need to know about. Plus, two businesses we’re sad to see go.

Now Open

1. Bruto | Avondale

From the same team behind Mom’s Basement comes Bruto—a new Italian-inspired café on 4th Avenue South in Avondale. Bruto’s menu is a blend of European-inspired fare and Southern favorites, featuring Sicilian-style pizza by the slice, sandwiches, scones and coffee drinks.

2. Gumbo to Geaux | Southside

IMG 3104 7 openings + 2 closures in the Birmingham area, including a new Avondale café
Gumbo To Geaux’s new storefront. (Bham Now)

Popular Cajun food truck Gumbo To Geaux has opened a first brick-and-mortar location near UAB. The store is located on 20th Street S, on the same strip as Cafe Crispy, Magic Wok and Salvatore’s Pizza and Pasta.

In addition to authentic seafood or chicken gumbo, Gumbo to Geaux serves dishes like shrimp and grits, crawfish étouffée and red beans and rice.

Coming Soon

3. Farm Bowl | Hoover

C1929575 9181 482A 830E 2B4BB17DCE65 1200x900 1 7 openings + 2 closures in the Birmingham area, including a new Avondale café
The Next Level smoothie is a tasty blend of coconut and almond milk. (Bham Now)

Farm Bowl is expanding to a new location near the Hoover Met. The Homewood-based spot is a local go-to for smoothies, fresh-pressed juice, açaí bowls and more.

  1. Location: 5846 Elsie Rd Building A – Suite 2, Hoover, AL 35244
  2. Opening: TBD
  3. Website | Instagram

4. Switchyards | Avondale

Switchyards Birmingham
Switchyards plans to open in Avondale on May 15. (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

Birmingham’s first 24/7 workspace area, Switchyards, plans to open this spring. Founded in 2016 in Atlanta by Michael Tavani, Switchyards utilizes historic buildings to create a cozy environment where business professionals can focus on work and enjoy a familiar atmosphere.

It features fast internet, unlimited coffee and phone booths for private calls.

5. FunLand Arcade & Snack Bar | Homewood

(Pat Byington / Bham Now)
FunLand Arcade is coming to Homewood. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

This May, family-friendly outdoor food hall development The Edge is leveling up its guest experience with its newest exciting addition: FunLand Arcade.

If you grew up visiting Panama City Beach, odds are you may have visited its location across from the Runaway Island Boardwalk, featuring 100+ arcade games like air hockey, pinball and more. FunLand Arcade will be located in the former Cookie Plug space at The Edge, an outdoor entertainment and restaurant hub located along Green Springs Highway in Homewood.

6. Southeastern Salvage | West Birmingham

(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
The new home of Southeastern Salvage. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Just west of I-65 in Birmingham, the former Golden Flake manufacturing plant is being transformed into a new development for anchor tenant Southeastern Salvage.

Once necessary changes are made to the former Golden Flake factory, Southeastern Salvage will move from its current location at 5421 Beacon Drive in Irondale to the repurposed facility, which the developers have named The Factory at Golden Flake.

7. Outback Steakhouse | Pell City

Pell City Square is getting several new retailers and restaurants, including Whatburger, Hobby Lobby, Ulta and its newest tenant: Outback Steakhouse.

On April 17th at 10:30AM, Outback and the Pell City Chamber of Commerce are hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony where you’ll have the chance to win free merchandise. Plus, $5,000 of the grand opening proceeds will be donated to Alabama Childhood Food Solutions.

Closed

8. Real & Rosemary | The Summit

After several years of serving wholesome, Southern-inspired meals, Real & Rosemary has officially closed its location at The Summit.

The Real & Rosemary Homewood location temporarily closed after a fire broke out on April 1. Since then, the Crestline spot has become the go-to destination for loyal customers. While an official reopening date for Homewood hasn’t been announced, the team is working hard to get back up and running.

9. Aviné | 2nd Ave N

Beloved downtown wine bar Aviné is now closed. The spot located near El Barrio and Bamboo is in the process of being sold.

Did we miss anything new coming to town? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!

Grace Howard
Grace Howard
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