Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
7 new businesses + 1 closure in Birmingham this week
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 Alabama’s first kava bar to all kinds of new digs in Alabaster, here are seven businesses that should be on your radar. Plus, one local business we’ll miss.
Now Open
1. Noble Pursuits | Lakeview
A first-of-its-kind-in-Alabama gathering spot is officially opening its doors in Birmingham this weekend. Noble Pursuits—Alabama’s first bar specializing in traditional kava drinks with house-made speciality beverages—opened on Saturday, August 8 in Birmingham’s Lakeview district.
According to Noble Pursuits’ advisor Jacques Hicks, there are two main types of kava: noble kava and tudei kava. Noble kava is the “gold standard” version of the beverage, with a smooth, calming relaxing effect; tudei kava is a cheaper, harsher variety with heavy sedation and side effects like nausea. Noble Pursuits only serves noble kava, imported directly from Fiji.
- Location: Noble Pursuits, 720 29th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: 11AM-10PM Daily
2. Brandy Melville | The Summit
Brandy Melville is now officially open at The Summit.
The popular California-based fashion retailer, known for its trendy basics and effortless aesthetic, is located near Victoria’s Secret, Swarovski and Sephora. If you’ve been waiting to browse the brand in person, now’s your time!
- Location: 209 Summit Blvd 150, Birmingham, AL 35243
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 9PM | Sunday noon-6PM
3. Alabaster Music Company | Alabaster
A new store in Alabaster has everything a musician needs—following the closure of Guitar Gallery in Pelham, some employees decided to open their own independent spot and dubbed it Alabaster Music Company.
The store has expanded the inventory to accommodate even more musicians, including drummers and marching band students in the Pelham and Alabaster area.
- Location: 1013 1st St N Alabaster, AL 35007
- Hours: Monday–Friday: 11AM- 6PM | Saturday: 11AM-4PM
4. Panera Bread | Alabaster
Alabaster’s Shoppes of District 31 is growing with the addition of Panera Bread, which opened last week. The shopping center is welcoming new businesses, including Nothing Bundt Cakes and First Watch, with Shake Shack and Tropical Smoothie also on the way.
(P.S. Tropical Smoothie opens this Friday, August 14!)
- Location: 725 1st St S Bldg S33 Suite 3301, Alabaster, AL 35007
- Hours: Mon-Sat 6:00AM– 9:00PM | Sun- 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Coming Soon
5. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux | Homewood
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is coming to Downtown Homewood. If you haven’t tried Walk-On’s, it’s one-third Southern Louisiana traditional cajun food, one-third classic pub food and one-third healthy meals with fresh salads.
The popular sports bar chain revealed today it will occupy the site, taking over the former Rodney Scott’s BBQ location adjacent to Little Donkey. This will be the fourth Walk-Ons location in the Birmingham market—the other three are in Trussville and Hoover’s Tattersall Park and Stadium Trace.
- Location: 2701 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209
6. Scenthound | Cahaba Heights
Scenthound, a Birmingham-based dog grooming concept, is opening its fifth Metro location in Cahaba Heights. It offers a quick core package of services, including bathing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and teeth brushing—the essentials for a clean and healthy dog.
The new shop, opening later this fall, is located near Mugshots and Brick and Tin.
7. Shake Shack | Alabaster
Shake Shack is the latest big name to join Alabaster’s growing lineup of national chain restaurants. Alumni Properties announced this week that Shake Shack will be the burger concept joining Shoppes at District 31, a new development off U.S. 31 that’s already welcomed spots like First Watch and Chipotle.
This will be the second Shake Shack in all of Alabama—the first location is at The Summit in Birmingham.
No opening date has been set yet, but the team says updates (and a grand opening announcement) are coming as construction progresses.
- Location: 725 1st St S, Alabaster, AL 35007
Closed
8. Maki Fresh | Cahaba Village
A “Birmingham original” has closed. Maki Fresh, one of The Magic City’s first fast casual sushi restaurants, posted a note on its front door announcing that the establishment has shuttered permanently.
Located within the Cahaba Village shopping development at 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza in between All About Noodles and Diamonds Direct, Maki Fresh was founded by local restaurateur John Cassimus in 2008, who sold the restaurant in 2018.
