Renovated brick storefront with large blue-framed windows and doors, worker near entrance during construction — Providers General Store near Ruffner Mountain. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A new general store, which will serve as a gateway to Ruffner Mountain, is coming to Birmingham’s South East Lake neighborhood.

Providers General Store, located at the former Ruffner Relics location on 8039 Rugby Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35206, plans to open in November 2026, according to its owner.

Supporting local providers: micro-farms + local goods

The store’s mission is to support people who are “providers” from the local community. This includes:

Local produce from Greater Birmingham micro-farms
Locally made soaps, candles, crafts and other goods
Pantry items and groceries

Inside the store, an eatery called Humble Pie Cafe will serve up coffee, breakfast and lunch for visitors of Ruffner Mountain and residents of the neighborhood.

Community space will also be made available for special gatherings.

In addition to the general store and cafe, Providers plans to add a makerspace as part of an artist residency program.

Transforming former Ruffner Relics

Brick building under renovation, fenced off with red Prier construction banners and a Providers General Store sign — (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Working to transform the old Ruffner Relics site is a team of craftspeople, makers and artists in their own right:

Jay Pigford at ArchitectureWorks
Gavin Prier and Tyler Schnell at Prier Construction
Interiors by Fran Keenan Design. Logos designed by Tatum Design
Hand lettering that is going on the building and the windows will be coordinated by Andrew Tynes with Mammoth Murals

Excited about Birmingham’s newest neighborhood hub? Providers General Store and Humble Pie Cafe are expected to have a soft opening in late October. They will fully open in November, just in time for the holiday season. Click here to learn more about Providers General Store.

Facebook LinkedIn Tweet