By Emily Williams For Ralph Hardwick, nothing sounds less pleasing than spending retirement sitting around and waiting for something to happen. “I have two suggestions for anyone who is looking to retire,” Hardwick said. “One: Don’t have a mortgage. Have your house completely paid for. Two: Have a hobby.” Hardwick’s hobby of choice found him 46 years ago, when he was in his … [Read more...]
Closing the Trunk: Rosenberger’s to Close After 120 Years
By Lee Davis For 120 years, few family businesses have been more intertwined with the history of the Birmingham community than Rosenberger’s Birmingham Trunk Factory. Founded by J.D. Rosenberger in 1897, the company originally specialized in luggage, leather goods and travel items. Its logo – an elephant placing one foot on top of a trunk – became an iconic symbol. Through … [Read more...]
From the Stove to the Store: Bamawise Helps Alabama Food Vendors Get Retail-Ready
By Donna CorneliusYou’ve got a great salad dressing/pickle/strawberry jam recipe. It’s so good, in fact, that your friends are always saying you need to sell the stuff. There’s just one problem: You’ve got no clue how to get your delicious food from the stove to the store shelves. Enter Bamawise, a Birmingham company that specializes in helping small food vendors make … [Read more...]
Tee Time: Adams Takes Reins of Rebel Program
By Lee Davis Sometimes Monterrious “Tee” Adams has to pinch himself to make sure he really is the wrestling coach of the Vestavia Hills Rebels. “Sometimes it’s a little surreal,” said Adams, when contacted last week, “when I walk through the hall of the school and see all those blue state championship trophies and understand that keeping all this going is my … [Read more...]
Homewood Reboot: Patriots in Youth Mode After Championship Year
By Lee DavisTo Homewood basketball fans, 2015-16 will be remembered as the season that the Patriot boys basketball team finally brought home the big prize. After years of coming close, Homewood at last grabbed the big blue trophy, winning a thriller against Muscle Shoals in the Class 6A final. The final record of 30-6 reflected the dominance the Patriots enjoyed … [Read more...]