Category Archives: Business

Leprechaun watch is in effect

We were hoping that our readers would be kind enough to check their local Bennigan’s or Steak & Ale location on their way home. If they were planning to meet up with friends after work, they may want to set up a back up plan as the restaurant chains’ parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy earlier today.

While all locations are not supposed to be affected by the change, there’s no real way to check in with the company since both websites have been slammed for the better part of the afternoon. Bennigan’s MySpace profile on the other hand is taking traffic quite well.

So, just let us know… thanks 🙂

The News announces employee buyout offers

That’s the word according to The Birmingham News’ breaking news blog.

The story was posted shortly after 5 p.m. today. News publisher Victor Hansen, III promised “…to continue the strong local news coverage, investigative reporting and service to advertisers that the metropolitan Birmingham area has come to expect.”

The Birmingham Business Journal reported earlier in the day that the buyouts were offered to employees 55 years of age or older and that there would be no subsequent layoffs at this time.

Parkside’s closing

The signs on the window, Parkside's closing. acnatta/Flickr

acnatta/Flickr

We figured it was our duty to share news of a great sale, though the reason for it is a sad one. Parkside Home & Garden, operating across the street from Avondale Park since 2000, has decided to close its doors. The building is currently available for sale or lease. Based on the sign that was up in the front door window this week all items are 60% off. We’re thinking that you need to head on over there. Or at least think about checking out the store in Mobile if you start to get sentimental (it opened back in April)…

Turns out the magic number is four

That’s how many Starbucks Coffee locations are actually closing in metro Birmingham. Besides the two locations that have been reported about earlier in local media, we’re also losing locations on Rocky Ridge Road and one on Parkway East. These would be four of the newer locations in town. The one that recently opened in Hoover on Hwy. 31 is safe (compared to the five locations closing in Mobile).

Here’s the list of all of the U.S. locations slated for closure. (Thanks Kara).

Speaking of taxes…

Folks here in Birmingham don’t necessarily have to feel alone anymore when it comes to sales taxes. Earlier this month the City of Chicago raised the sales tax to 10.25%, making it the highest sales tax in the United States. That hasn’t been the only thing that’s gone up for Windy City inhabitants as pointed out in this report published in The University of Illinois at Chicago’s paper, The Chicago Flame.

Not sure what would happen if I had to pay an extra 13.25% on top of the price of a Grapico

It was a good idea

I’m heading to my Friday morning meeting with Whitney and I noticed an interesting site:

Workers removing signs announcing the pending arrival of New Vulcan Ale House. acnatta/Flickr

acnatta/Flickr.

After checking with the crew, they confirmed my worst fears. It seems that the New Vulcan Ale House won’t be opening after all. No official word on what actually happened though we’re sure that folks around town will be quite upset by this development. You may want to check out their MySpace profile for more information.

390 days to go, but it’s got a website

John Elkington‘s name is on the line… at least in Birmingham. The Birmingham News reports that the developer charged with creating Birmingham’s newest entertainment district has pledged that The Forge will be open in 390 days – a self-imposed August 1, 2009 deadline.

Continue reading