New Development Off of County Line Rd.

[MadHaus]

GameStop (or similar computer/video game store), a hobby shop with a really wide variety of inventory, a news stand (out of town & international papers and magazines) - maybe combined w/ a small bakery (focusing on pastries & muffins, not decorated cakes), furniture consignment (one in N. Shelby Co. handles very nice furniture & decor, plus offers decorating/staging services), small art gallery/frame shop that also offers painting classes (some now do theme nights & parties, BYOB), and a garden shop (emphasis on container gardening, indoors & out.)

[pennquaker09]

Originally Posted by Charles

True, but they have their niche. One of those most bang for the buck retailers. Not publicly held, controlled by non-profit and not for profit.

They must be doing something right:

IKEA The World's largest furniture retailer - Fanpop

True. I suppose I'm one of those that prefer my furniture made in the US, preferably North Carolina.

[cjaila]

Originally Posted by madisonmama

Well, here's my reasoning:
1. IKEA-ever try to find affordable kid's bunk beds or dressers around here? Sometimes places like IKEA are an almost-necessary evil, like Wally World and Target. There is one in Atlanta, they do ship, but it isn't especially cheap.

2. County Line would be a lot more convenient for seafood than Decatur or Gulf Shores. I've never tried McCollum's, though. Thanks for the tip! How is the grilled catfish? Amen to FCEddie about not just fried stuff. Fish Camp near Toys R US was pretty good, but it didn't last long.

4. I guess good bbq is very subjective. I haven't tried any in town that have compared to Jim 'N Nicks. I've had Dreamland, Gibson's, Lawler's, Pete's Boyz, Greenbier's, Golden Rule, Smokey's, Chuck Wagon...but I'm not the big bbq fan-hubbie has tried more. Anyway, even if I found another I liked, I'd love a Jim N Nicks close by-great everything, not just bbq.

5. Sadly, there is no Milo's in this area code. Their burgers and fries are like crack, so maybe that's for the best, grease factor and all.

eta: my multi-quote didn't work-? sorry!

Dramamama,

I totally agree with you. Bar-b-que is subjective. I am originally from Birmingham and have lived in Huntsville for the past 10 years. I have tried every bar-b-que place in Huntsville and none compare to Jim N Nicks. I had never had bar-b-que with sauce on the side, sauce that is liquidy and taste like vinegar. I am use to bar-b-que sauce being a sauce and cooked into the smoking meat. Just my opinion, I do not want to offend anyone's opinion of North Alabama bar-b-que. I either bar-b-que my own food or wait for a trip to Birmingham.

Milo's, I would love to see a Milo's in Huntsville. My husband and I have contacted them about opening a franchise up here but they said they were not interested in having anything outside of Birmingham. As a result, thats is our 1st stop when we hit Birmingham. Same for Sneaky Pete's hotdogs. We love the Chicago Dog and this is our 2nd stop in Birmingham. We always hit Jim N Nicks on the way out of Birmingham so that we can get ribs to bring home and their awesome lemon meringue pie.

IKEA, I absolutely love them and visit often when we are in Atlanta. Same for the Cheesecake Factory.

I am so glad that you are getting out and exploring Huntsville, Athens, Decatur, and now Birmingham. I too wish we had more of the resturants and retail stores that I have to travel to Atlanta, Birmingham, and Nashville to visit. On the other hand, I am happy that they are all within driving distance and makes for a nice weekend getaway for my family.

Please, continue to post the details of your scouting expeditions. I don't post on this board often, but usually check in to read the posts at least once a day. I have found yours to be enlightening and look forward to reading about some new places for my family to explore.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by pennquaker09

True. I suppose I'm one of those that prefer my furniture made in the US, preferably North Carolina.

Less and less every week is being made in N.C. All my relatives in NC who worked for furniture manufacturers are out of jobs. We own a woodworking business and almost every day I get e-mailed notices of equipment auctions for businesses that are shutting down.
It's all coming out of China now.
Not to go off on a tangent or anything!

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by dramamama

2) TRADER JOES--yes, I know it's going to Nashville, but I want the cheap wine and Nashville's store can't sell it due to the laws in TN

What laws ?

I live in Nashville and we have several liquor stores that sell everything.

[MadHaus]

Southlander, what sort of woodworking business? Could you start a new thread with some info about it?

As for NC furniture, we did our part and bought a two sofas, four chairs & some odds n' ends from H&M. It took a while to get here and we had some delivery problems, but it's pretty nice. I'm in the market for USA-made bedroom furniture, too.

To get back to the topic - I'd love for some Alabama furniture company (is there such a thing?) to open along CLRd. In fact, I'd love for some other locally owned businesses featuring crafts (pottery, quilts, stained glass, etc.) to open there, too. Surely with all of the new homes along CLRd there's enough demand.

[FLGAL76]

Originally Posted by madisonmama

Well, here's my reasoning:
1. IKEA-ever try to find affordable kid's bunk beds or dressers around here? Sometimes places like IKEA are an almost-necessary evil, like Wally World and Target. There is one in Atlanta, they do ship, but it isn't especially cheap.

2. County Line would be a lot more convenient for seafood than Decatur or Gulf Shores. I've never tried McCollum's, though. Thanks for the tip! How is the grilled catfish? Amen to FCEddie about not just fried stuff. Fish Camp near Toys R US was pretty good, but it didn't last long.

4. I guess good bbq is very subjective. I haven't tried any in town that have compared to Jim 'N Nicks. I've had Dreamland, Gibson's, Lawler's, Pete's Boyz, Greenbier's, Golden Rule, Smokey's, Chuck Wagon...but I'm not the big bbq fan-hubbie has tried more. Anyway, even if I found another I liked, I'd love a Jim N Nicks close by-great everything, not just bbq.

5. Sadly, there is no Milo's in this area code. Their burgers and fries are like crack, so maybe that's for the best, grease factor and all.

eta: my multi-quote didn't work-? sorry!

I was wondering for kids bedroom sets are there a Rooms To Go there?

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by madisonmama

...How is the grilled catfish?

LOL! Two words - "grilled" and "catfish" - never used in the same sentence!

Originally Posted by Charles

We may do a weekend trip to Atlanta: ...spend the night in nice hotel getting a cheap weekend rate...

I've learned the hard way to always make a reservation when going to Atlanta. There's always a convention, trade show or something going on that fills up hotels. You don't want to be like us: 1 a.m., kids in the back of the car and available hotel rooms!

Originally Posted by Charles

...shop some more, tour, maybe a water park or something, then drive home.

Whitewater, in Marietta (now owned by Six Flags Atlanta)

Originally Posted by MadHaus

Southlander, what sort of woodworking business?

Strictly industrial, no furniture or "pretty" woodwork.

[pennquaker09]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Less and less every week is being made in N.C. All my relatives in NC who worked for furniture manufacturers are out of jobs. We own a woodworking business and almost every day I get e-mailed notices of equipment auctions for businesses that are shutting down.
It's all coming out of China now.
Not to go off on a tangent or anything!

I know. I go for the high end stuff. Like, I LOVE Thomasville, but I wouldn't actually buy any of it.

[ionlife]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

What laws ?

I live in Nashville and we have several liquor stores that sell everything.

The Liquor stores sell everything, but not the grocery stores, I believe. Is that still true? I was told by another poster that the TJ's in Nashville will not be selling wine/beer due to liquor laws in state. I guess we'll find out soon enough after it opens, eh?

Also, IKEA is so accessible for kids beds etc. and relatively cheap--you can get cute stuff and furnish a room for very little--and while it's not thomasville, I've got plenty of IKEA stuff that has held up very well--we're very pleased with it as it is fun and inexpensive way to decorate.

PS--I am not madisonmama--no grilled catfish for me and not a huge BBQ fan but will eat it if that's what is on the menu...

Good tip re: Atlanta--will definitely have to make reservations there prior to when we go visit.