New Venues and Exciting Changes in the Greater Birmingham Area
October has been quite an eventful month for the Greater Birmingham area, with several new establishments opening their doors and fresh opportunities for fun and dining sprouting throughout the community. From a cozy karaoke bar in Leeds to a stylish Mediterranean lounge in Homewood, there’s a lot to explore this season.
Neon Moon Karaoke Bar Opens in Leeds
First up on our list is Neon Moon, a newly opened karaoke bar in Leeds that is already making waves in the local scene. The owner, John Carroll, envisioned a small, intimate space where locals can gather and enjoy themselves. The bar features a pool table, several games, and weekly karaoke nights that promise to bring out the best vocal talents among friends. Additionally, food trucks will provide a variety of delicious options to enhance your evening out. If you’ve been looking for a fun night spot to gather with friends, this might just be the perfect getaway!
Sands of Sahara: A Luxurious Mediterranean Escape
Over in Homewood, a chic new restaurant and cocktail lounge called Sands of Sahara has opened on Greensprings Highway. With a focus on Mediterranean cuisine infused with an American twist, the menu boasts a hummus trio, flavorful kebabs, and an enticing selection of craft cocktails. The luxurious atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for a delightful dining experience. This venue aims to create not just a meal, but an enjoyable experience for patrons seeking good food and company.
Ballard Designs Debuts in Birmingham
In a move that home decor enthusiasts will surely appreciate, Ballard Designs has opened its first Alabama location along the scenic Rotary Trail. Known for their exquisite fabrics and unique home decor items, the store offers free design services, making it a go-to destination for anyone looking to spruce up their living spaces. With its grand opening, locals now have the chance to explore stylish home decoration options right in their backyard.
New Ace Hardware Coming to Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, exciting developments are underway as a new Ace Hardware store is set to open on a lot that has been vacant since 2016. The site, previously home to the Ichiban restaurant—destroyed by fire eight years ago—will soon become a hub for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts, offering a wide range of hardware supplies and home improvement tools. This new initiative signals growth and revitalization in the area, as the community welcomes yet another service-oriented business to the neighborhood.
Dining Destination: Gannie’s in Jasper
If you’re up for a short trip to Jasper, a visit to Gannie’s is highly recommended. This soul food haven is known for its delightful offerings, including mouth-watering fried chicken, savory collard greens, and tender neck bones. Gannie’s has quickly earned a reputation for serving comforting, delicious meals that showcase the flavors of Walker County. Make sure to add this stop to your next day trip itinerary!
Wrapping Up the October Buzz
With all these changes and new adventures sprouting across the Greater Birmingham area, this month is surely shaping up to be an exciting one for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re seeking entertainment, delicious food, or a place to enhance your home’s beauty, there’s something new around every corner. As always, if you hear of something we missed, let us know so we can keep the community in the loop!

Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.


