IMG 9676 scaled e1791492712213 4 new businesses + 4 coming soon to Birmingham — Joi and Deon Wright, owners of the newly opened Southern Flames in Fairfield. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

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

From new Taiwanese street food in Avondale to the return of a beloved fondue restaurant in Lee Branch, here are four new businesses and four upcoming openings that should be on your radar.

Check out last week’s openings

Now Open

1. Southern Flames | Fairfield

IMG 9666 4 new businesses + 4 coming soon to Birmingham — Joi and Deon Wright, owners of the newly opened Southern Flames, cut the ribbon with Fairfield leaders at its October 8, 2026 grand opening in Fairfield. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Southern Flames, the much-anticipated bar & grill, cigar lounge and entertainment destination, opened in Fairfield, Alabama on October 8, 2026.

The venue offers an outdoor patio with TVs, big screen for gameday action, fully-equipped bar/dining area and a large stage that can host live music and comedy shows. In addition to the entertainment options there are some great steam table, brunch and pub food offerings including a soul food hot bar.

Location: 6501 Aaron Aronov Dr, Fairfield, AL 35064
Hours: Thursday: Kitchen 11AM to 8PM, Friday + Saturday: Kitchen open 11AM to 9PM, Sunday: Kitchen open 11AM to 5PM
Southern Flames: Website I Instagram I Facebook

2. Taiwan Street Food | Avondale

storefront — Taiwan Street Food off Crestwood Blvd. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Taiwan Street Food, the highly-anticipated Asian cuisine diner just off Crestwood Boulevard next to Gatos & Beans and near Cahaba Brewery, has officially opened.

Located in the former Lag’s Eatery space in Avondale, the new open-kitchen concept is operated by Stephen Kao, the owner of Christopher House Antiques. The menu is focused on serving up several kinds of stir fry, soups and classic appetizers like dumplings and potstickers.

Location: 4350 3rd Ct S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11AM to 8PM

3. Forest Park Pilates | Forest Park

Forest Park Pilates interior — (Forest Park Pilates)

Forest Park Pilates, a locally owned boutique studio in the Forest Park/South Avondale area, opened on Friday, Oct. 9.

The studio is owned by Candice Nance, a certified Pilates instructor originally from North Carolina. The studio describes itself as a third space to connect with yourself, strengthen your body and build community with your neighbors. Forest Park Pilates offers small group classes along with private and duet sessions, with an emphasis on small classes and certified instructors.

Location: 706 37th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Hours: Book a class
Forest Park Pilates: Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Buffalo Rock | Homewood

A group of executives and officials holding a blue ribbon during a ceremony outside the Buffalo Rock building — (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Today, Buffalo Rock—the nation’s largest single family-owned Pepsi and Dr Pepper bottler—officially opened its renovated Oxmoor Campus on Lakeshore Drive.

Prized for its brand-new in-house blow molding capabilities, the expanded Oxmoor Campus represents the culmination of Buffalo Rock’s multi-year investment in infrastructure and modernization enhancements in its facilities across the Southeast.

Location: 800 Lakeshore Parkway

Coming Soon

5. Nami Sushi | Brook Highland

A new all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant is on the way to US-280. Nami Sushi is coming soon to the former Beef ‘O’ Brady’s space in Brook Highland.

The restaurant will offer all-you-can-eat sushi alongside an Asian kitchen menu. No opening date has been announced yet. Nami Sushi will be located in the same complex as Burlington, Shoe Station, Michaels and the ABC Beverage store.

Location: 5279 US-280

6. Academy Sports & Outdoors | Gardendale

Academy Sports + Outdoors, the popular sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, is opening in Gardendale on November 1, 2026.

The 55,000-square-foot superstore is Academy’s 18th location in Alabama. The new store, which can be seen off Gardendale’s I-65 Fieldstown Road Exit (exit 271), will carry a multiple number of national brands including Nike, Adidas, Stanley, YETI and more.

Location: 650 Gayle St, Gardendale, AL 35071

7. Melting Pot | Lee Branch

MeltingPot DTF Menu Food Beverages 0291 pub 1 4 new businesses + 4 coming soon to Birmingham — (Melting Pot)

Get ready to dip, Birmingham—Melting Pot is returning to its former home at The Village at Lee Branch Shopping Center eight years after its closure.

The beloved fondue restaurant is reopening its old location at 611 Doug Baker Blvd in late 2026. The restaurant is currently under construction to give the space an aesthetic upgrade before welcoming guests back through its doors for an expected December soft opening.

Location: 611 Doug Baker Blvd #201, Birmingham, AL 35242
Opening: Expected soft opening in December 2026, grand opening in January 2027
Melting Pot: Website

8. Shake Shack | Highway 280

shake shack hwy280 bham exterior rendering 01 4 new businesses + 4 coming soon to Birmingham

Birmingham’s newest Shake Shack location is planned for a new mixed-use development on Highway 280 consisting of Chipotle, Firstbank, The Learning Experience and 124 Townhouses. It will be the second Shake Shack in the Birmingham area, in addition to the location at The Summit.

A $1.5 million permit was issued to Venture Construction Company for the project, which is expected to open in the beginning of 2027.