By Sarah Kuper
As the restaurant and retail scene in Cahaba Heights continues to grow, the business community wants to give back to people supporting its shops.
It has arranged the Heights Hangout event, an afternoon showcasing the food and fun of Cahaba Heights while raising money for beautification of the area, for April 28 on Pipeline Road.
“We are just a cute little community with young families. We are a growing area and business are bringing fun, different things,” said Katherine McRee, who has the children’s boutique The Lili Pad and is a member of the Cahaba Heights Merchant Association. “We want to spread the word that Cahaba Heights has a small business community that cares.”
Restaurants will offer tastes of their dishes and shops will have merchandise on display or fun activities. There will be inflatables for children and cookie decorating.
One of the highlights of the event will be the Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint food truck.
The restaurant will open its first Alabama location later this year, but McRee said owners wanted to be a part of the event even before their Cahaba Heights brick and mortar store opens.
“This will be the first time people are tasting it,” she said. “Martin’s actually asked to be the lead sponsor for the event even though they aren’t open in town yet. Having a new business come in and say they want to do it … shows they are community minded.”
Martin’s Bar-B-Que is famous for its west Tennessee-style whole hog barbecue.
More than 23 other businesses are sponsoring the event, including ARC Realty and Heights Village, not to mention individuals’ financial support.
Tickets to get in will be $5, and children under 12 are free. Attendees can buy tickets for food in $5 increments.
McRee said the event may not raise a fortune, but the main goal is to create a fun event celebrating all Cahaba Heights has to offer.
