By June Mathews
Photo by Jordan Wald
Christmas came early to Mountain Brook Village in November 1959 when Bromberg’s celebrated the opening of its second Birmingham location.
Situated on a high-visibility corner lot near the village’s busy five-way intersection, the store’s sparkling white tile and glass façade embodied the understated elegance for which Bromberg’s flagship store had long been known And just in time for its first holiday season, the light-filled interior provided over-the-mountain shoppers with a dazzling array of merchandise.
Flash forward to 2025. After 66 years of serving Mountain Brook and surrounding areas, Bromberg’s is preparing for a sweeping renovation that will transform not only the interior and exterior of the store but also double its retail space. “As a legacy brand, we owe it to our customers to stay fresh and continually enhance the shopping experience,” says Bromberg & Company President Frederick W. “Ricky” Bromberg. \“Innovation has been important to our success; the changes you will see in the Mountain Brook store are dramatic with an elevated feel, reflecting the leading edge of luxury retail.”
A Total Transformation
Henry Sprott Long and Associates, the Birmingham architectural firm that designed the Mountain Brook store, was a natural fit for this new project, says Bromberg. The firm is now led by Mr. Long’s son, Hank Long. “Transformative is the best word to describe this project,” says Hank Long. “While the original architectural shell of the building remains, every inch has been redesigned. The building’s mid-century modern design will be preserved, with the exterior updated through the introduction of fresh stone finishes and refined bronze accents. The interior is undergoing a whole-scale, floor-to-ceiling renovation.”
The main space will be open and airy, Long adds. To honor the store’s unparalleled collection of designer jewelry, plans call for a palette and details inspired by gems and precious metals.
The new design also incorporates the building formerly occupied by Ousler Sandwiches, which will be connected to Bromberg’s with a structural addition and bronze accents. Other changes include a new entrance and a new awning on a brick backdrop similar in texture and color to the surrounding businesses. This portion of the project will become Bromberg Galleries, which will house the bridal registry, giftware, fine china and home décor.
A work in progress
An in-depth renovation plan, including an August start date and a phased timeline aimed at keeping the store open through Christmas, has been under consideration for over two years, says Alex Wilson, the lead architect for the project. “This is an exciting project, steeped in history, and it demands thoughtful, lasting work,” he says. “It is our duty to create something timeless in design, resilient in structure and forward thinking in function. The store is poised to be a source of satisfaction and pride for all involved for years to come.”
A project of this magnitude requires that every detail, from display cases and lighting to intimate consultation areas, be carefully considered to achieve a refined, luxurious environment. It also requires consulting with experts as to the specifics.
Interior design consultant Stephenie Maxey, an expert in designing upscale jewelry stores, collaborated with the architects to devise the store’s interior plan. Her work included spatial planning, case design and the selection of finishes, all tailored to create a luxurious yet welcoming space.
Construction will begin in the original retail space once the Christmas season ends. At that point, says Bromberg, some services and inventory will move to the new space next door and to Bromberg’s at The Summit. Once the final clearing-out chores are completed, the interior work on the primary retail space, scheduled to start in January, can begin.
A history of retail success
Bromberg’s was founded in 1836 by another Frederick W. Bromberg, an immigrant to the U.S. from Germany. According to his great-great-great grandson and current president of the family business, “He landed in Mobile, Alabama, and apparently decided it was a good place to set up shop.”
Two generations later, the new city of Birmingham was booming, and the younger Brombergs saw an opportunity to expand the family business. By 1915, the Mobile generation had died out, and Bromberg’s has been based in Birmingham ever since. “We are the oldest business of any kind in the state of Alabama, and we are the oldest family-owned retailer of any kind in the United States,” says Bromberg.
“What has ultimately made us successful is staying new,” he continues. “You want to be true to your traditions and your core values; those things don’t change. But you want to be relevant to whatever the marketplace is in whatever time you’re living, so you adjust. That’s what we’re doing right now, and we’re tremendously excited to see what the future brings.”
