Birmingham’s renaissance over the past decade has made it a destination for creative businesses, celebrated eateries, and beyond. Through any city’s evolution, long-established haunts try to abide by the changing times, new start-ups hustle to find their footing, and locals are forced to adapt to the changing landscape — for better or worse. Today, we’re paying homage to 10 Birmingham businesses that have recently closed their doors. They will be missed!
Five
Check out Five’s other locations at five-bar.com.
Five was known as the brunch spot in Lakeview, where patrons could enjoy live jazz music alongside their weekend chicken and waffles. Five opened its first location in Tuscaloosa in 2011, closely followed by the Lakeview location a few months later. Over the past 12 years, we’ve enjoyed the rotating five-item menu, with delectable food and cocktail selections. The eatery may no longer be in Birmingham, but you can still head down to Tuscaloosa for your Five fix.
What’s On 2nd
What’s On 2nd closed last year following the passing of owner Steve Gilmer in late November. The curio shop originally opened on Second Avenue North before moving to its final home in Five Points and was known for its eclectic array of vintage items and collectibles. Whether you were looking for a specialty item or simply had some time to kill, What’s On 2nd was always a place for inspiration, curiosity, and treasure hunting.
Club Duquette
Shop their brand online at clubduquette.co.
Club Duquette also bid farewell to its brick-and-mortar in 2023. It came on the scene in 2016, gracing Birmingham (specifically the Woodlawn community) with self-proclaimed “Clothing, supplies, and vibes.” Club Duquette was a chill space where you could shop, listen to music, and just be.
Its casual and hip clothing line has gained national attention from the likes of The New York Times, Vogue, and Southern Living, to name a few. As much as we’ll miss the vibes at the shop, we’re thrilled that Club Duquette’s brand will continue to live online.
Smoke House Steak and Seafood
In 1960, Theo Hontzas, who had recently moved to Birmingham from Greece, bought the Smoke House, which opened about five years earlier. Since then, the Smoke House Steak and Seafood restaurant served up cafeteria-style meat and threes with fresh vegetables straight from the Alabama Farmer’s Market, located right next door.
Last year, at age 90, Theo decided to retire. With him goes a beloved Birmingham establishment that we have enjoyed for over six decades. We bid you a heartfelt Adío, Smoke House.
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Long-time owner Theo Hontzas served fresh meats and veggies daily at the Smoke House Steak and Seafood. Image: Facebook
Yellowhammer Creative
Shop its remaining inventory online.
Pepper Place bid a tearful goodbye to the iconic Yellowhammer Creative, which honored the Magic City through screen-printed creations for 15 years. The company started back in 2008 but opened up its brick-and-mortar in 2019. From art posters to T-shirts, the print shop paid homage to everything great about Birmingham with inspired prints that created a sense of citywide inclusion and carried an “If you know, you know” vibe.
You can still find some of Yellowhammer’s inventory online and snag one of their prints or products before they’re gone for good.
Queen’s Park
The popular Loft District bar, Queen’s Park, ended its reign in 2023. The swanky cocktail bar paid homage to its namesake, the historic Queen’s Park Hotel in Trinidad, with its island vibes and vibrant tropical cocktails.
In its farewell Instagram post, Queen’s Park assured fans that their beloved “Miracle on 24th Street” holiday decor tradition will live on in new ways. We’ll be ready to celebrate with them in 2024!
Left Hand Soap Co.
Shop their online store at lefthandsoapcompany.com.
Left Hand Soap Company opened its brick-and-mortar in Pepper Place in 2021, but owner Soapy Jones has been making soap for over 20 years. Soapy, along with her husband and business partner Erik Hanson, provided patrons with locally sourced, natural soap and skincare products out of the storefront and workshop until closing its doors late last year.
The shop may be closing, but you’ll still be able to get your Left Hand Soap Co. staples online.
Lloyd’s
Stay up-to-date on Lloyd’s Facebook page for the latest on the new restaurant.
Lloyd Chesser opened up the first Lloyd’s restaurant in the City of Chelsea in 1937. Back then, there wasn’t much between Chelsea and Birmingham. But as developments continued along Highway 280, new owner Eli Stevens jumped on the opportunity to lay down roots in what became the Inverness area in 1978. Lloyd’s recently opened a second location in Sylacauga, but both restaurants closed in 2023.
Lloyd’s has announced plans to open a new restaurant in Birmingham this year, and you can keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates.
Birmingham Oddities
Check out its sister shop: Wantfull Things.
Quirky favorite Birmingham Oddities also closed its doors in 2023. Since 2014, it made a home for the truly odd, embracing and supporting local artists along the way. You never knew what you were in for when you strolled in, and it was a go-to for unique and creepy finds to turn up your Halloween decor to the spooky max.
Birmingham Oddities might be gone, but you can still support its sister shop, Wantfull Things, which is part tattoo parlor and part punk-rock thrift store.
John’s City Diner
An especially shocking closure was John’s City Diner in April of 2023. In 2004, John’s Restaurant, which had been around since the ‘40s, became John’s City Diner. Over the next 19 years, the diner became one of Birmingham’s most popular spots, famous for its delectable Southern fare. We’ve all posed in front of the iconic “It’s nice to have you in Birmingham” mural on the side of John’s — it’s basically a requirement to live in the Magic City!
In his heartfelt letter informing the public of the closure, owner Shannon Gober signed off saying, “Thank you, Birmingham. It was ‘Nice’ to be with you.”
To all the wonderful businesses we lost in 2023, thank you for all you gave to our city. You were and will always be part of what makes Birmingham Magic!
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