10 businesses coming to Birmingham + 2 closings—restaurants, retail + more

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With all kinds of new developments, retailers and restaurants on the horizon, 2025 is already off to a great start in Birmingham.

From a new entertainment hub coming to Lakeview to a slew of trendy stores at The Summit, read on for a roundup of what’s happening around The Magic City.

Coming Soon

1. Dobber’s | Five Points South

The Highlands United Methodist Church retains Five Points' Spanish architecture. Photo by Libby Foster for Bham Now.

The Five Points South Entertainment District will soon have a new neighborhood pub.

Wil Jones—the President of the Five Points South Neighborhood Association and a strong advocate for the neighborhood—plans to open Dobber’s Five Points Pub later this year.

According to Jones, Dobber’s isn’t going to be a fancy cocktail bar—it’ll be a place where you can pop in after work for a drink, listen to some live music from local artists and meet new people.

Location: 1206 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Opening: February 2025

2. The Painted Lady | Southside

The Painted Lady hotel. (Atticus Advisors / Lark Hotels)

A new, unique boutique hotel dubbed The Painted Lady is set to make its Birmingham debut in early 2025. Housed in the Eyers-Raden Building—a historic structure dating back to the late 1800s—The Painted Lady promises, “a blend of elegant charm with a tribute to the city’s resilient past.”

Once complete, The Painted Lady will include 22 curated rooms and suites, capable of accommodating a maximum of two guests—ideal for a couple’s getaway or for traveling professionals.

Location: 2143 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Opening: Mid-2025 (Accepting reservations beginning March 2025)

3. Marano’s d’asporto | The Edge

theedge2 10 businesses coming to Birmingham + 2 closings—restaurants, retail + more

A new restaurant and specialty store called Marano’s d’asporto, coming soon to The Edge on Greensprings, is bringing “the fast-casual convenience of Italy’s delicious food culture to the community.”

Marano’s d’asporto—which means “to takeaway” in Italian—will feature a curated selection of artisanal Italian takeout and delivery options, such as:

Savory frittatas
Strombolis + oven-bakes
Artfully crafted dishes
Decadent desserts
Exquisite Italian specialties + more.

Location: 819 Green Springs Hwy, Homewood, AL 35209
Opening: Spring 2025

4. Crawdaddy’s | Pelham

Crawdaddys 10 businesses coming to Birmingham + 2 closings—restaurants, retail + more

Cajun cuisine is coming to Pelham next month. After five years as a popular food truck in the Birmingham area, Crawdaddy’s will soon open a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

The new storefront will serve as both a fresh seafood market as well as a dine-in location with many of the seafood dishes offered at the Crawdaddy’s food trucks along with beer, wine and other beverages.

Location: 220 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham, AL 35124
Opening: February 2025

5. Joy East Buffet | Trussville

A new Chinese buffet is opening its first restaurant in Alabama at The Pinnacle in Trussville, better known as the former home of Red Robin.

Joy East Buffet specializes in Asian-inspired dishes including hibachi, sushi, soups and dumplings.

Location: 5029 Pinnacle Sq, Birmingham, AL 35235
Opening: Mid-2025

6. Seasick Records + more | Lakeview Marina

A new hub for retail, dining and entertainment is coming soon to Birmingham’s Lakeview district.

Dubbed Lakeview Marina, the new development will be anchored by several beloved local businesses—including Seasick Records, Birmingham Classic Cuts Barbershop and Cook Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

According to developer Bart Stephens, its goal is to embody the unique, communal spirit of Birmingham hotspots like Pepper Place.

Location: 514 32nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Opening: Late February 2025

7. Abercrombie & Fitch, Alo + more | The Summit

The Summit is kicking off 2025 with some impressive additions.

Known for bringing some of the biggest, trendiest brands to The Magic City, here’s what to look out for at The Summit this year:

Abercrombie & Fitch – The famous apparel, accessories and fragrance retailer is returning to Alabama after years at the Galleria.
Alo – A leading premium lifestyle brand, the first Alo in Alabama location is expected to open in Summer 2025. A mecca for fitness apparel and activewear, the nearest Alo locations are in Atlanta and Nashville.
Ann Taylor – The popular women’s brand will be relocating to a new space next to Vera Bradley, offering an updated store design and an enhanced shopping experience. The new location is expected to open in February 2025.
Boll & Branch – The luxury bedding and home brand, renowned for its ethically made products, will open its first Alabama location at The Summit near Urban Outfitters. The store expects to open in the Summer 2025.

Closing

8. East Pole Coffee Co. | Denham Building

East Pole Coffee Co. on 1st Avenue South in Birmingham is closing at the end of the month.

According to a handwritten note, the Atlanta-based coffee shop will be closing on February 1, and thanks all of its regular customers for their patronage over the last couple of years.

Location: 1143 1st Ave S #103 Birmingham, AL 35233

9. Books A Million | Fultondale

Birmingham-based Books-A-Million has closed its Fultondale location.

One of the anchor retail stores at the Promenade Fultondale on Lowery Parkway, the popular bookstore is the third Books-A-Million location to close in the Birmingham metro area since 2020. The other sites were near the Highway 280 corridor at Brookwood Village and Brook Highland.