Shopping
Birmingham residents have recently been recognized for being as stylish as we’ve always known we’ve been. Magazines like Traditional Home have celebrated the fine homes—and furnishings available for them—located in the city. The fashion magazine Lucky has singled out a handful of women’s boutiques, and GQ and Esquire have both given a nod to one of our local menswear stores. We have a century-old jewelry store that’s been a tastemaker, and required bridal registry, for four generations of Alabama couples. Our burgeoning food and farm community, as well as our internationally celebrated chefs who rely on the local food produced here, have made food and ingredients something to shop for in Birmingham. Pottery. Antiques. Books. Art. Birmingham is chock-full of remarkable shops, boutiques and galleries that attract not only locals, but also residents from throughout the state and region. From luxury stores not found within 150 miles to tiny nooks where locals still practice a craft and sell their handmade wares, Birmingham has it all.
The region is also blessed with clusters of walkable shopping districts, be they historic, new, or within large malls, that make the shopping experience especially pleasurable. From the many villages of Mountain Brook to downtown Homewood, the old-fashioned storefronts still promote toys, gifts, jewelry, clothing, linens, sporting goods, shoes, furniture, hardware, and groceries—just as these old communities always have. One can park in one spot and spend the day strolling the sidewalks, stopping for breakfast, lunch, coffee, drinks, or dinner, and never have to move the car.
Overview
New shopping centers like The Summit are completely walkable, or navigable by shuttle, and feature national high-end chain stores and department stores. Large malls, such as the Riverchase Galleria, maintain the indoor shopping concept, and offer seemingly endless shop and food choices in a controlled climate. But the newest big addition to Birmingham’s retail scene is The Shops of Grand River, a $127-million outlet mall off I-20 in Leeds. With high-end shops like Brooks Brothers, Talbot’s, DKNY, Coach, and Jos. A. Bank, as well as favorites such as Nike, Ghirardelli, Izod, and Polo Ralph Lauren, the new mall has something for everyone.
Whatever you’re searching for, in whatever environment you prefer, you can find it in Birmingham, and you’ll meet some incredibly friendly people and have a great time to boot. Birmingham is a great shopping town, but remember, this listing is only a survey of the range of stores and shops in the area—it is by no means comprehensive.
1. 5TH AVENUE ANTIQUES
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 320-0500
Description: Located in Southside’s antiques district, 5th Avenue Antiques is a large building filled with booths managed by multiple sellers. Look for estate jewelry, furniture, books, rugs, and other finds. With more than 30,000 square feet of space, it’s one of the largest antique malls in the area. More than 100 antique dealers sell their goods in the store.
2. ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 322-3538
Insider Pick:
Description: A unique store specializing in architectural salvage, this treasure trove is located in the Pepper Place shopping district and is filled to the rafters with old doors, windows, furniture, statuary, lighting, and hardware. The 6,500-square-foot warehouse is complemented by an adjacent garden with more distinctive architectural elements. Look for limestone mantels from France, terra cotta tile from Europe, planters, baptismal fonts, and more.
3. ARGENT
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 871-4221
Description: Specializing in silver and other fine metals, Argent is well known in the city not only for its antique inventory but also for its appraisal services. Antique tea services, complete place settings, jewelry, furniture, accessories, paintings, and watches are found inside this one-of-a-kind store, located in the heart of downtown Homewood. Close to dozens of other shops and restaurants within a short walking distance, Argent regularly get new shipments of antiques from the United Kingdom and France—check their website for posted pictures of new items as they arrive.
4. ON-A-SHOESTRING
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 822-8741
Address: 601 Shades Crest Rd.
Description: Perched high up on the ridge of Shades Crest Mountain in the historic enclave of Bluff Park, On-A-Shoestring promises a few hours of happy discovery to the customer who made the drive up the hill. With an old caboose parked out front and rows upon rows of old windows and other finds nestled about the property, this slightly ramshackle, but utterly charming, rambling building won’t disappoint. Be sure to grab lunch at the diner across the street or at the Tip Top Grill, with its jaw-dropping views of the Shannon and Oxmoor Valleys below.
5. SOHO RETRO
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 870-7655
Insider Pick:
Description: So named for the large SoHo development in the heart of Homewood, this new shop is also inspired by the funky boutiques of the New York landmark neighborhood. Recently opened by two long-time fans and collectors of mid-century modern furniture and accessories, Soho Retro has the Danish Modern sofa, shag rug, mirrored bar, and driftwood lamps you’re looking for. Don’t miss the jewelry collection near the counter, the antique table linens, and the fabulous lawn furniture out back.
6. TRICIA’S TREASURES
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 871-9779
Description: There’s so much inside the large building that houses Tricia’s Treasures that you’re almost overwhelmed when you walk in. But take a deep breath and begin your journey of discovery, making sure to look up, down and in between, otherwise you’ll miss an amazing find. From architectural salvage outside the front door to furniture, light fixtures, rugs, books, artwork, findings and fixtures, toys, and even vintage clothing, one could easily pass several hours inside Tricia’s Treasures without realizing time had passed. Across the side street from The Alabama Booksmith, Tricia’s could be one half of a blissful day for the book and antique lover.
7. WHAT’S ON SECOND
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 322-2688
Description: This funky emporium resides along the trendy block of 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham that’s also home to the hip Rogue Tavern, Urban Standard coffeehouse, Pale Eddie’s Pour House bar, Faith Skate Supply, and Charm jewelry boutique. What’s On Second has become a key destination not only for downtown workers looking for a fun way to pass a lunch hour, but a serious stop for young hipsters searching for vintage clothing and home accessories. Look for T-shirts from the ’70s, old toys and equipment, fantastic lamps, and the odd outdoor furniture set, often displayed on the sidewalk out front.
8. 2nd & Charles
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 444-0509
Address: 1705 Montgomery Hwy.
Description: A novel new take on the used bookstore theme, 2nd & Charles is located in a strip mall across from Riverchase Galleria at the I-459 and Highway 31 intersection. It’s something of a have-one-trade-one, need-one-buy-one shop for books, DVDs, game systems, audio books, vinyl records, and CDs. Drop off up to 3 bins of used items per customer per day, go shop around while the employees evaluate your books or CDs, then look for your claim number on one of their screens spread around the store to learn the value of your items. You can take cash, store credit, or, if you aren’t satisfied, take all your used goodies back and go home.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
10. BARNES & NOBLE
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 682-4467
Address: 171 Main St.
Description: With two stores in the Birmingham area, the book giant bookends two of the larger shopping areas on either side of I-459 in Birmingham: Patton Creek/Riverchase Galleria (address above) and The Summit (201 Summit Blvd., Suite 100; 205-298-0665). A variety of programs are offered, such as book signings by local and international authors and story-time activities for preschoolers and older children. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout both stores, making their open cafe and lunch counter a popular spot for students and businessmen and women on the go. The children’s section includes a large colorful stage for special presentations and readings, and the music section offers listening stations. The Summit location seems to consistently have more programs and events scheduled.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
12. LITTLE PROFESSOR BOOKSTORE
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 870-7461
Description: Conveniently located in downtown Homewood on busy 18th Street, Little Professor is a great spot to linger when you have a few minutes to kill browsing the latest blockbusters, literature, and children’s selections. Upstairs contains a wide range of magazines as well as a token collection of used books, while adjacent to the main bookstore downstairs is Crape Myrtle’s Cafe. The helpful and knowledgeable staff is good about making recommendations or running down obscure titles for customers. Little Professor offers a 20-percent discount on book club titles for the groups that order through the store; consequently if you’re curious about what the book club crowd is reading in Birmingham, have a gander at their book club selection shelves.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
14. ONCE UPON A TIME
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 870-7776
Description: More traditional and certainly elegant, Once Upon a Time, located in Homewood with another location in Crestline Village in Mountain Brook (229 Country Club Park, 205-870-7772), appeals to those moms who are looking for the lace-and-batiste gowns and silver cups and spoons that so commonly signify babyhood in the south. The shop has furniture, bedding, clothing, gifts, and keepsake pieces that are so fine and lovely you can’t help fingering the fine materials. They can also help with monogramming and smocking services—other must-have elements in Birmingham baby wear.
15. SWADDLE
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (205) 870-3503
Description: Trendy and fun, this little boutique in downtown Homewood hits the sweet spot for young families or mothers-to-be looking for something slightly different from what’s for sale at the big-box stores. Owner Marisa Mitchell, herself a mom to two young children, knows full well what hip young mothers are looking for—be that strollers, bedding, clothing, gifts and toys, or home accessories. Upscale moms can get their own designer clothing at neighboring boutiques and stop in to Swaddle to make sure baby is outfitted just as perfectly.