Birmingham Sees New Business Openings and Restaurant Closure

Birmingham, September 23, 2025

News Summary

Birmingham’s economy is witnessing significant changes with the launch of new restaurants and retail stores, alongside the unexpected closure of BBQ Stop. JAWS Hot Chicken & Seafood and other businesses are enhancing the local landscape, while developments like District 31 are underway. Alchemy Spa & Wellness will celebrate its grand opening alongside Vapor Thrift Store’s expansion. The city continues to evolve, aiming for an economically vibrant future despite facing closures.

Birmingham’s economy is experiencing a dynamic shift with the opening of several new businesses and the unexpected closure of a notable restaurant. Key establishments have chosen Birmingham as their new home, enhancing the local landscape while existing businesses have also made strategic changes.

JAWS Hot Chicken and Seafood launched its first Birmingham-area location in early September. The eatery features a vibrant menu that includes fried chicken, fried shrimp, cheeseburgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and wings. This opening adds to Birmingham’s diverse dining options and caters to a wide range of palates.

Shortly after, on September 15, White Flowers Gallery, a local boutique that has been serving the community for nearly four decades, opened a new location on Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills. Founded in 1986 by Diana and Eric Hansen, White Flowers Gallery offers a unique shopping experience, combining a gift shop and gallery. The venue showcases an all-white interior and provides clothing, jewelry, cards, and kitchen accessories for sale.

Another addition to Birmingham’s restaurant scene is Meals by Misty, which opened in Springville. This dining spot focuses on quick lunches and family meals, and it also has existing locations in Homewood and Trussville. The menu features homemade casseroles, sides, and fresh salads, making it a convenient option for families and busy professionals.

Alchemy Spa & Wellness is marking its grand opening this week in Pepper Place. The spa provides a variety of services, including deep tissue massage, prenatal massage, facials, and lash services. The grand opening events scheduled for September 25 and September 27 will include free wellness gift bags for the first 50 guests and mini-services to introduce customers to their offerings.

In a significant expansion move, Vapor Thrift Store, which currently operates three locations, is preparing to open two new shops in Trussville and Pell City. The company has acquired 3.74 acres on Mary Taylor Road in Trussville and plans to launch its largest store yet in Pell City this fall.

In contrast to the influx of new businesses, BBQ Stop, a barbecue restaurant located in Clay, has closed indefinitely due to management and location issues arising from code and building concerns. The owners are currently seeking investors and partners for future operations to revive the restaurant.

The architectural planning for the District 31 development in Alabaster is making strides with a total projected investment of $242 million. This multi-use project is poised to welcome its first tenants by Black Friday, adding to the regional economic vibrancy.

Lakeview Marina in Birmingham is also undergoing changes, with its first tenants preparing to move into a renovated 20,000-square-foot warehouse. Notable tenants include Seasick Records and a new barbershop, which will diversify the offerings at the marina.

Additionally, The Summit in Birmingham will see four new stores being added and two currently existing stores being expanded. This expansion introduces popular brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Alo to the area.

New dining options also include Joy East Buffet, which will occupy the former Red Robin space in Trussville, offering a Chinese buffet experience. Another upcoming restaurant, El Royale Cafe, is set to open in Birmingham during spring 2025. Meanwhile, Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant is preparing to reopen at a new location on Fourth Ave. N. in Birmingham.

Further developments include Southeastern Salvage relocating to the former Golden Flake factory in the spring, offering a larger showroom for their products. Riding the wave of new enterprises, Onelife Fitness is gearing up to open its first Alabama location in McCalla this December, with plans for additional studios in the Birmingham area.

Lastly, Raising Cane’s, a renowned chicken restaurant, is exploring opportunities to expand into Birmingham, while Wooden City Birmingham, featuring wood-fired pizza, is set to open soon. Newly opened Wendy’s in Calera is another addition to the fast-food landscape.

Key Business Openings and Closures in Birmingham

• JAWS Hot Chicken and Seafood – opened early September
• White Flowers Gallery – new location opened on September 15
• Meals by Misty – opened in Springville
• Alchemy Spa & Wellness – grand opening on September 25 and 27
• Vapor Thrift Store – expanding with new locations
• BBQ Stop – closed indefinitely
• District 31 – $242 million development underway
• Lakeview Marina – tenant renovations ongoing
• The Summit – expanding store options
• Joy East Buffet – opening in Trussville
• El Royale Cafe – set to open in spring 2025
• Southeastern Salvage – moving to a larger location in the spring
• Onelife Fitness – opening in McCalla this December
• Raising Cane’s – seeking expansion opportunities
• Wooden City Birmingham – to open soon
• Wendy’s – newly opened in Calera

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Additional Resources

• Bham Now: 5 New Openings & 1 Closure in the Birmingham Area
• Wikipedia: Business
• AL.com: Businesses Coming to Birmingham Area
• Google Search: Birmingham business openings
• Bham Now: 50 Birmingham Businesses That Have Opened Their Doors in 2025
• Google Scholar: Birmingham businesses
• Bham Now: 6 New Businesses & 2 Closures in Birmingham This Week
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham
• Bham Now: 6 New Businesses in Birmingham This Week
• Google News: Birmingham restaurant openings

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.