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Photos by Shay Allen.
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Staff photo.
There will be several holiday-themed concerts at Birmingham’s restored vaudeville house this month, including a performance by the Blind Boys of Alabama.
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Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Alchemy 213 is a European-inspired boutique offering men’s apparel, as well as glasses, shoes, athletic clothing, art and lifestyle goods.
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Photos by Shay Allen.
Bryan Stanfield of Trattoria Centrale, Ace Morgan of Alchemy 213 and Saramia Arenas of Rainy Day pose downtown in November. Above: Melissa Kendrick, owner of Sojourns, a fair-trade boutique on Third Avenue North.
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You probably don’t think of downtown Birmingham as a retail hotbed for holiday shopping.
That may be changing, however, as new retailers take a chance on the area, joining other hardy souls who’ve stuck it out there for years or have opened shops over the last decade as the City Center has begun to awaken.
In fact, we discovered that downtown — defined for this article as the old retail and commercial core north of Morris Avenue — already provides a surprising number of places to shop.
And given its other culinary and cultural offerings, downtown could provide a fun Christmas experience for shoppers who wish to spend at least one day away from the crowded malls.
One unlikely new downtown merchant is Brandon Hays, a young attorney. He recently opened Artefact Supply, a men’s boutique on Second Avenue North next to El Barrio restaurant.
This new venture makes perfect sense to Hays, who said the ongoing boom in downtown apartments and entertainment makes establishments like his a necessity to serve the increasing number of young professionals like him who love city living and have chosen to stay in Birmingham.
“You had the bars come, then you had the restaurants come,” Hays said. “Now you have grocery shopping with Publix. So the only thing — the only thing — that’s missing is retail.”
Many of the new downtown residents have no desire to drive to the suburbs to buy things they want, according to Hays, one of the founders of Second Row Law, near Urban Standard.
“I was living and working downtown, and you would have to drive over the mountain, either to the Summit or down to the Nordstrom Rack, to find stuff that you liked,” he said.
That desire to be at the center of the new downtown action was also a driver for Ace Graham, one of the founders of Alchemy 213, a boutique that opened on 20th Street North in 2015.
“I spent the last couple of years in Bologna, Italy, and any time you travel in the European Union, you start in the center of the city and go out from there, and we wanted that kind of energy,” Graham said. “We wanted to have a space that was geographically OK for everyone to reach from the interstate.”
Steve Gilmer, owner of What’s On Second — a collectibles shop on First Avenue North — is also bullish on downtown.
“As more people move downtown, you will find the businesses that are needed to support those people will move back,” said Gilmer, a retail pioneer who opened in 2007 in his original location on Second Avenue North. “Retail is going to come with more and more people down here. It just has to.”
Many other Southern cities already have thriving downtown retail, according to Hays, who said he was inspired to open Artefact after discovering Stag, “a really cool men’s store” in Austin, Texas.
Virtually any kind of retail can now succeed downtown, according to Graham.
“With all the residents who are going in right now, people need things, so you have a lot of opportunity to service these people to keep them from having to go other places,” he said.
”There’s room for everybody,” Hays said. “Particularly with the condo developments and hotels that are slated to come on line … you’re talking about a much more vibrant city, particularly after dark.”
In fact, Birmingham is no longer just a commuter city that rolls up the sidewalks downtown in the evening, Hays said.
“I experience quite a bit of my traffic after 5 o’clock,” he said. “Customers come in whether they are waiting for a table at El Barrio or Bamboo or just out and about walking around — bar-hopping and restaurant-hopping.”
Downtown merchants will get another boost with the opening of the mixed-use development in the old Pizitz department store, according to Graham.
“You’ve got retail spaces going into the bottom of the Pizitz building,” he said. “You’ve got retail space popping up everywhere. We felt like it’s only a short amount of time before it gets back to the way it used to be in downtown Birmingham.”
Like Hays, Gilmer said the opening of the new Publix grocery store will further enhance downtown livability, which helps increase the appetite for retail.
“Suddenly, city living downtown makes more sense now,” Gilmer said. “We will follow up probably with drug stores (and) sooner or later, we’ll have some of the national chains opening up.”
Gilmer and Graham are both optimistic about the future. “We have reached a momentum of development downtown that will be hard to stop,” Gilmer said.
“We feel like there’s going to be a tremendous difference in the environment for shopping and retail downtown in the next 18 months,” Graham added.
But you don’t have to wait 18 months to enjoy shopping downtown. There are numerous merchants who are gearing up for the holiday rush. Retail establishments — as well as other food and entertainment options — available this holiday season.
In fact, the following is only a partial list of the establishments open downtown:
Retail
(Clothing and more)
- Artefact Supply: This men’s shop, similar to J. Crew or Banana Republic, carries shoes, boots, denim and henleys, including brands not sold elsewhere in the Magic City. 2211 Second Ave. N. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 283-2169. artefactsupply.com.
- Bohemian Bop: Bohemian Bop is the retail shop and work space for fashion designer Heather Wylie Fleming. She sells her casual Bohemian Bop line of tops and T-shirts, and her more upscale Bohem fashion. 2115 First Ave. N. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 202-3311. bohemianbop.com.
- Sonya Faye’s Tailor & Clothier: This tailor also has clothing for sale off the rack. 1709 Third Ave. N. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 326-0009.
- Shebet’s Boutique: Women’s clothing and accessories, including one-of-a-kind items imported from Kenya and Ghana. 2209 Third Ave. N. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 327-9845. facebook.com/shebetsboutique.
- Alchemy 213: European-inspired boutique offering men’s apparel, as well as glasses, shoes, athletic clothing, art and lifestyle goods. Brands include Nike Select and Puma Select. 217 20th St. N. Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 983-7955. alchemy213.com.
Gifts and Jewelry
- Levy’s Fine Jewelry: Founded in 1922, Levy’s sells such items as watches, antique and vintage jewelry, and necklaces and pendants. 2116 Second Ave. N. Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 251-3381. levysfinejewelry.com.
- Sojourns: This fair-trade shop carries a wide variety of gift items and clothing from dozens of countries around the world. 2017 Third Ave. N. Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 323-5680. adventureartpeace.com.
- Charm: Another pioneering boutique, Charm — owned by Chatham Helmers — offers new, vintage and handmade jewelry, handbags, scarves, art and other gifts. 2329 Second Ave. N. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 322-9023. charmonsecond.com.
- Mike’s Jewelry: Located downtown since 1965, Mike’s buys and sells vintage and estate jewelry and musical instruments. 2324 First Ave. N. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 251-0005. mikesjewelrystore.com.
- Advent Bookstore: This overlooked store stocks books, gifts, music, jewelry, church supplies and other faith-themed gift items. 2015 Sixth Ave. N. Sunday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 323-2959. episcobooks.com.
- BMA Museum Store: This retail shop at the Birmingham Museum of Art has a wide selection of jewelry, sculpture, pottery, books and children’s items, with items from Alabama and around the world. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 254-2565. artsbma.org.
- Rainy Day: Artist and entrepreneur Saramia Arenas opened this handmade retail collective in October in a converted shipping container at Railroad Park with unique items from makers in Birmingham and around the Southeast. Corner of 14th Street and First Avenue South. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. rainydaybham.com.
- The Regions Harbert Plaza: Located at 1901 Sixth Ave. N., it features some small retail establishments, including a location of Norton’s Florist (521-6625), Cards & Gifts on 6th (715-9222) and Bamawise, which features Alabama-made products (919-0981, bamawise.com).
Unique and different
- What’s On Second: This store carries a wide variety of gifts, collectibles and antiques — everything from vintage postcards to lunch boxes and action figures. 2323 First Ave N. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 322-2688. facebook.com/whatsonsecondbirmingham.
- Birmingham Oddities: A unique collectibles shop, where Adam Williams sells everything from old photographs and signs to human skulls and dental instruments. 2300 First Ave. N., Suite 101. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 664-5347. birminghamoddities.com or facebook.com/birminghamoddities.
- Jim Reed Books: Founded in 1980 and billed as a “museum of fond memories,” this shop offers thousands of used and collectible books, magazines, newspapers, movie posters and many other items. 2021 Third Ave. N. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 326-4460.
- Faith Skate Supply: This shop, open since 1995, offers quality boards, as well as clothing and other specialty items. 1305 Second Ave. N. Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 244-1102. faithskatesupply.com.
- Redemptive Cycles: A nonprofit bike shop, Redemptive offers bikes, parts, repairs and maintenance. 1305 Second Ave. N. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 224-5631. redemptivecycles.com.
And that's not all
Holiday shopping trips are not solely about shopping. Holiday entertainment available downtown includes:
- Alabama Theatre: The Alabama, as always, gets into the Christmas spirit with its Holiday Film Series, featuring nine movies and some shorts programs. It begins Dec. 9 with “White Christmas.” There also will be other holiday-themed events, including a performance by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Dec. 2. 1817 Third Ave. N. For events, prices and show times, call 252-2262 or go to alabamatheatre.com.
- Lyric Theatre: There will be several holiday-themed concerts at Birmingham’s restored vaudeville house, including performances by the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Steel City Men’s Chorus. For details, call 216-3118 or go to lyricbham.com/events.
- Red Mountain Theatre Company: The RMTC presents its Holiday Spectacular 2016 from Dec. 2-18 at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre, 301 19th St. N. RMTC Conservatory students and Birmingham’s best local artists present holiday musical favorites. For show times and ticket prices, call 324-2424 or go to redmountaintheatre.org.
- McWane Science Center: McWane presents its Winter Wonderland and the Magic of Model Trains through Dec. 31. Attendees can enjoy the Ice Slide, a zip line and the McWane Train. The model trains exhibit features more than a dozen displays. 200 19th St. N. For tickets and information, call 714-8300 go to mcwane.org.
- Birmingham Children’s Theatre (BJCC): The BCT will present “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” at the BJCC Theatre Dec. 9-10, recommended for children 5 and older. The BCT will also present an adaptation of “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” on Dec. 3 and 10. For prices and show times, call 458-8181 or go to bct123.org.
- Cathedral Church of the Advent: The church will present several programs of sacred and holiday music, including some daytime events. For details, call 251-2324 or go to adventbirmingham.org.
- Ice Rink at Railroad Park: Birmingham’s popular midtown oasis will offer a temporary ice-skating rink through mid-January. The Boxcar Cafe will sell hot chocolate and refreshments. There will also be a market with holiday-themed merchandise on Saturdays through Dec. 24. For details, call 521-9933 or go to railroadpark.org.
Food & Beverage
Hey, what’s a shopping trip, to downtown or anyplace, without taking time to eat? Food options downtown include:
- Looking for a good Southern meat and three? Options include Fife’s Restaurant (2321 Fourth Ave. N., 254-9167), Magic City Grill (2201 Third Ave. N., 251-6500) and Green Acres Café (1705 Fourth Ave. N., 251-3875, greenacres-cafe.com).
- For stick-to-the-ribs chicken and waffles on a cold day, check out Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant (2328 Second Ave. N., 957-6545, yomamasrestaurant.com).
- For the best hot dogs downtown, go to the legendary Gus’s Hot Dogs (1915 Fourth Ave. N., 251-4540).
- For food that’s fast but good, check out the pizza, pasta and salads at Trattoria Centrale (207 20th St. N., 202-5612, trattoriacentrale.com).
- For something a little fancier, check out Cafe Dupont (113 20th St. N., 322-1282, cafedupont.net) or Century Restaurant and Bar in the historic Tutwiler Hotel (2021 Park Place, 458-9707, centurybirmingham.com).
- Need a caffeine boost to get through your shopping trip? Check out Urban Standard (2320 Second Ave. N., 250-8200, urbanstandard.com), Revelator Coffee (1826 Third Ave. N., revelatorcoffee.com) or Octane Coffee in the Uptown entertainment district adjacent to the BJCC (545-5076, octanecoffee.com).
