Category Archives: Business

Random Shots: The name lives on

Soon To Be Belk Location At Harbert Plaza Downtown

So what would Mr. Harbert be thinking about the pending name change of long-time Birmingham-based department store chain Parisian as part of its pending sale to Belk? He and other fans of the name should not be that upset; they would only need to go to Detroit, MI (or at least the metro area).

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Let’s scream for more ice cream

Many may be aware of the fact that Dunkin Brands, the company that has already announced a return of the donut & coffee chain Dunkin Donuts to the Magic City region, also owns Baskin Robbins. The company has also done a great job of pairing the two chains with each other throughout the country.

So one would think it was only a matter of time before we saw this announcement come from the Massachusetts-based company earlier today. If you follow the suggested logic in this Birmingham Business Journal report, could we see one more announcement before too long? We’ll see… In the meantime, you can always try your hand at being a franchisee; the open house is next Tuesday.

The Velvet Teddy Bear signs on for entertainment district

Ruben Studdard - Bob Farley/f8photoJust when people were beginning to wonder just how serious the development talk surrounding the new entertainment district adjacent to the BJCC currently was, The Birmingham News reports that Ruben Studdard has signed on to open a nightclub with Perfroma Entertainment Real Estate.

Reporter Dawn Kent’s brief also included a mention of efforts to get Taylor Hicks to commit to a similar venture for the development. It’s already peaking interest among members of the Soul Patrol across the country.

Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8photo

A restaurant on Morris Avenue? Yep

Fanaei In Matthew’s - Bob Farley/f8photo

Matthew’s Bar and Grill has opened at 2208 Morris Avenue. It now relieves The Peanut Depot of being the only place to grab a bite down near the railroad tracks, though stopping by to grab a snack for later after grabbing some barbecue from the new restaurant still wouldn’t be a bad idea! There haven’t been many options down there since The Morris House, though new ones exist up on 1st Avenue North.

It’s time to eat more donuts

That’s what Dunkin Donuts is banking on. The Birmingham Business Journal is reporting (paid subscription) that the Canton, MA based company plans to blanket the Birmingham market with 72 locations over the next few years. It will be interesting to see how these new locations will fit into the regional market since already enjoy a Shipley’s location in Hoover and three Krispy Kreme locations throughout metro Birmingham.

Regions Plaza to become Marriott Renaissance Hotel

Birmingham’s Harbert Realty Services announced today that the conversion of the 17-story Regions Plaza at 5th Avenue North and 20th Street in downtown Birmingham will be branded as a 225-room Marriott Renaissance hotel. We posted about the plans for the 4-diamond facility when they were announced in April.

The formal announcement comes after word that the $50 million project may receive city support in the form of $2.7 million in tax breaks and infrastructure improvements according to today’s Birmingham News Breaking News blog.

Check back as we update this posting.

Random Shots: The Business Journal gets a sign

The Birmingham Business Journal has its logo placed of the Southside building where they have their offices. Bob Farley/f8Photo.org
Fravert Services Inc. employee Roniie Blackwood climbs back into the bucket after completing the installation of the Birmingham Business Journal’s sign. The Birmingham Business Journal has it offices in the building at 2140 11th Ave South.
Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8Photo.org