Category Archives: Business

What’s coming to The Summit this fall?

Summit Phase 5 constructionAccording to a recent Bayer Properties press release (and last week’s BBJ) southeastern Birmingham’s The Summit will be opening their new Class A office space and retail stores this fall, completing phase 6 of the now more than 1 million square foot multi-use/retail development.  Construction began last July and will finish up sometime this fall, (probably before Thanksgiving according to rumors).

The new phase of construction will include 50,000 square feet of specialty retail shops including:

Juicy Couture
James Avery Jewelry
Brighton Collectibles
Gloss Denim Bar

    The accounting firm Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West, LLP will be moving into the 35,000 square feet of office space that is being constructed along with a covered parking deck with direct access to the office building and a courtyard, arbor and open air balconies with a view of the Highway 280 landscape.

    Stay tuned for more store opening dates as they are made available to us.

    Six are honored for Living the Dream

    live-the-dream-logoThe Live the Dream Awards were created in 2003 by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize those in Birmingham, AL that have achieved their dreams and who’ve made a positive impact on the region. This year’s class is pretty impressive as it includes “orthopaedic surgeon to the sports world” James Andrews; Grammy winner Emmylou Harris; UAB researcher James McClintock; NFL player DeMeco Ryans; and O2 Ideas owner Shelley Stewart. Civil rights pioneer and entrepreneur A.G. Gaston will receive a lifetime achievement award. 

    The awards will be presented during a press conference this evening beginning at 5 p.m. at Burr & Forman’s offices downtown.

    CAWBC Scholarship deadline extended

    We’ve just received word that the deadline for applications for The Elizabeth Conwell Schlarb Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs‘ Scholarship Fund has been extended until next Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m.

    We’ve got some information about the scholarship up from the post announcing the original deadline.

    Century Plaza losing last anchor store

    The Birmingham News is reporting that Sears Holdings, Inc. has announced plans to close the Sears location at Century Plaza this spring, citing “business reasons.”

    The department store was the last of the major anchor stores that once called the 34-year old mall home. 

    The announcement was made one day after it was reported that Century Plaza’s owner, Chicago’s General Growth Properties, owes more than $1.2 billion in debt and that they are investigating alternative financing solutions. If they cannot find one, the company may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

    The location is tentatively set to close on May 31, after which you may find some of the 79 employees at the other Birmingham area locations in Fairfield and at The Galleria.

    New hotel possible for Birmingham’s midtown

    Shortly after Larry Langford finished his remarks at yesterday’s Operation New Birmingham (ONB) Breakfast Briefing, ONB President Michael Calvert eluded to the possibility of another developer possibly announcing plans to build a new hotel on Birmingham’s Southside in the near future.

    The Birmingham Business Journal provides additional information about this and other announcements made yesterday. We’ve also heard that the proposed hotel may operate within the Hilton family.

    Women entrepreneurs, take note…

    The Central Alabama Women’s Business Center (CAWBC) is still accepting applications for the The Elizabeth Conwell Schlarb Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs‘ Scholarship Fund – until this Friday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m.!

    The funds are available for those women business owners in Central Alabama who’ve been in business for at least three years. Applicants may use the money to pay for one or more courses at a two or four year college or for entrepreneurial education and professional development.

    Applications can be obtained at the CAWBC’s website or by contacting Noelle Gaspard at 205-453-0249 and/or noelle@cawbc.org.

    Downtown’s former Protective Life building empties

    Protective Life BuildingWe’ve heard from several sources that the former home to Protective Life and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce among others was in the process of being vacated this month. There has been no explanation as to why all of the tenants of the building have been asked to leave. Those of you that have followed The Terminal during the last almost two years know that our first anniversary celebration was held on the top floor of the building on March 14 last year.

    We’ll see if we can learn any additional information and update this post accordingly. We’ll also see if we can’t fill you in on where our second anniversary celebration will be taking place next month in the near future.

    Photo: bhamterminal.com