5 new businesses + 3 closures in the Birmingham area
Reading time: 4 minutes
It’s a new week in The Magic City, and that means a new roundup of businesses popping up across town.
From a local Italian restaurant expanding in Gardendale to a new soul food buffet coming to West Homewood, here are five businesses that should be on your radar. Plus, three local businesses saying farewell.
Now Open
1. The Filling Station | Gardendale
Last December, we let you know about The Filling Station opening a new location in Gardendale—and the day is finally here!
Owner Bobby Lorino and his employee (and now co-owner of the Gardendale location) got the idea for a new location and decided on a space in a prime location next to the UAB Medicine Gardendale Primary & Specialty Care, near multiple hotels and adjacent to Buffalo Wild Wings.
- Location: 250 City St, Gardendale, AL 35071
- The Filling Station: Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Yellowhammer Creative | TrimTab Brewing
Yellowhammer Print Shop has officially set up shop in its new location after relocating from the Pepper Place store that closed in January.
Unlike its other previous locations, the new spot within the TrimTab warehouse complex serves as a screen printing shop, warehouse and retail storefront, giving customers a glimpse into the production process.
- Location: 500 28th St S
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM, Saturday 10AM-3PM
- Yellowhammer Creative: Website | Instagram | Facebook
3. Qdoba | Hoover
Qdoba Mexican Eats has opened its second Birmingham location (and fourth in Alabama) on Montgomery Highway off of Hoover’s Lorna Road.
In late 2024, Qdoba opened in UAB’s Medical District, marking the restaurant’s first Birmingham location. General Manager Hari Vajaha has lived in Hoover for the past 10 years and is now bringing fresh, healthy and fast-casual Mexican food to his neighbors.
- Location: 1539 Montgomery Hwy, Hoover, AL 35216
- Hours: Daily, 10:30AM-10PM
4. Einstein Bros Bagels | Highway 280
Breakfast in Birmingham just got better: Einstein Bros Bagels has opened a new location on Cahaba Park Circle off Highway 280.
Einstein Bros is known for its bagels, shmears, bagel sandwiches and coffees, often located on college campuses like Troy and (formerly) Auburn. The company was founded just over 30 years ago in Colorado, and now stands at more than 600 locations nationwide—including Birmingham!
- Location: 450 Cahaba Park Circle, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Hours: Daily, 6AM–2PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
\
Coming Soon
5. Big John Buffet | West Homewood
Cantina Tortilla Grille closed in 2024, and its building in West Homewood has been vacant ever since—until now! Big John Buffet, a comfort food restaurant, is moving in this spring.
John Yoon’s family has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. He previously owned Mom’s Deli and Hot Spot in Birmingham around 10-15 years ago. Now, John is back in the Magic City, and opening a similar restaurant: Big John Buffet, serving all our favorite Southern comfort foods.
- Location: 162 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209
Closed + Closing
6. Vineyard Vines | The Summit
Vineyard Vines has closed its store at The Summit after 14 years. The company, founded in 1998 on Martha’s Vineyard, is known for its preppy men, women and children’s clothing.
7. Cava | Homewood
Cava has closed its Homewood location in SoHo, leaving three Birmingham-area locations and six more statewide.
8. Winn Dixie | Inverness Corners + Montevallo Rd
The last two Winn-Dixie supermarkets in Birmingham have begun store closing sales.
Below are the locations of the two remaining Birmingham-area stores and their closing dates, according to Winn-Dixie staff.
- 4476 Montevallo Rd, Birmingham, AL 35213 – closing March 22
- 500 Inverness Cors, Birmingham, AL 35242 – closing March 21
Follow Bham Now on Instagram+ Facebook or sign up for our free newsletter to stay up to date on this and more happening in the Magic City!
