By Sam PrickettAfter adjusting to local concerns and criticism, plans for a new, full-service hotel in Homewood are moving forward.The four-and-a-half-star hotel – as well as an accompanying spa – is slated to be built on the corner of 28th Avenue South and 18th Street South, the former location of Hatfield Auto, Little Professor Bookstore and Wolf … [Read more...]
Homewood GreenSpace Initiative Gains Momentum
By Sarah Kuper The push for a greener downtown Homewood is picking up speed and support as members of the Homewood GreenSpace Initiative hold more meetings for officials, residents and merchants. Leading up to an Aug. 28 presentation to the Homewood City Council, organizers have been spreading information and garnering support throughout all of Homewood’s five wards. … [Read more...]
Smith’s Goes Shopping: Jim Glazner Looking for Someone to Buy the Store and Run It Like Mom and Pop Did
By Sam Prickett It’s been 67 years since Smith’s Variety first opened its doors, and in that time the toy and gift shop has become something of an institution for generations of Mountain Brook families. But change is in store for Smith’s “very soon,” said owner Jim Glazner. He’s looking to sell the business, though he said it’s important that new owners maintain the … [Read more...]
The Forty Year Plan: Vestavia’s Buddy Anderson Reflects on the Past But Looks to the Future
By Blake Ells Buddy Anderson still remembers the night his life’s path became clear to him. It was Jan. 12, 1968, and he was sitting in his father’s old pickup that he had driven to play in a high school basketball game. “It wasn’t completely overcast, but there were clouds,” he recalls, as if the date nearly 50 years ago were yesterday. “I had been struggling with … [Read more...]
The Cheese Stands Alone
By Sue Murphy Now that school has started, everyone will be choosing up teams. Not Alabama or Auburn. That was locked in at birth. I’m talking about other-than-that choices. You may or may not make your high school football team. You may or may not make cheerleading. Like I’ve said before, too many people, too few slots. That’s the way it goes. But there are also insidious, … [Read more...]