Forge News and Updates |
It’s March. Can you believe that we’re already 3 months into 2021? I cannot. One thing I’ve always loved about March is that it means warmer weather is coming. However, I a few years ago I discovered that March is also Women’s History Month. No more winter, warm weather, and Women’s History Month all in one – I don’t think it gets better than that!
Women’s History Month is dedicated to highlighting and celebrating women’s contributions to history and society. In honor of all of the fabulous women who have come before us, and who will come after us, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of these awesome women in Birmingham.
Here is a list of 13 Female Owned Restaurants in Birmingham that You Must Visit
(in no particular order)
Ashley Mac’s
Various locations in Homewood, Cahaba Heights, Downtown, Hoover
Ashley McMakin, Founder of Ashley Macs. Photo from Style Blueprint
Ashley Mac’s offers café dining, catering, and to-go options. They have a wide variety of delicious options for everyone. Their frozen to-go meals are perfect for a busy family who wants to eat healthy. Ashely Mac’s baby blue salad and poppyseed chicken are a personal favorite.
photo from Ashley Macs Instagram
Blueroot
2822A Petticoat Ln
Mountain Brook, AL 35223
Jennifer Ryan, Owner of Blueroot. Photo from Village Living
Located in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, Blue Root offers delicious and healthy meals from oats, granola, breakfast, salads, bowls, soups, and sides. Their meals are loaded with a number of flavorful ingredients. They are allergy conscious, making this the perfect healthy place for those with any dairy, gluten, or vegan intolerances. After dining in or grabbing to-go, make sure to check out their sweet treats or desserts.
photo from the Blueroot Instagram
The Essential
2018 Morris Ave
Birmingham, AL 35203
Kristen Farmer Hall, Co-Owner of The Essential. Photo from Style Blueprint
The Essential should be your new go-to restaurant. It offers a wonderful menu filled with lunch and dinner options that will leave you full and satisfied. The menu has something for everyone, whether you’re craving a salad, sandwich, pasta, or burger – they have it all In addition, they offer a wide variety of cocktails to add to your meal. On the weekend, they offer a delicious brunch consisting of all your favorites, but even better.
photo from The Essential Instagram
Chocolatá
1927 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Kathy D’Agostino, Owner of Chocolata. Photo from Style Blueprint
If you love chocolate, this will quickly become your new favorite place. Chocolates are especially blended for their unique flavor pairing, using carefully handcrafted recipes. Head on over to Chocolatá for some of the best Chocolate you’ve ever had – you won’t regret it.
photo from Chocolata Instagram
Daughter’s Baking
(PICKUP BY APPOINTMENT)
195 Vulcan Road
Homewood, AL 35209
Mallory Webb, Founder of Daughters Baking. Photo from Style Blueprint
While they do not have a storefront, yet Daughter’s Baking should still be at the top of your dessert list. Daughter’s is known for their beautiful, flavorful naked cakes. They also offer cookies, crumbs, and crunches. If you have any type of celebration coming up, or if you just want to treat yourself to a delicious cake, go ahead and place an order with Daughter’s Baking.
photo from Daughters Baking Instagram
Urban Cookhouse and Farm Bowl & Juice Co
1920 29th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35209
Andrea Snyder, Founder of Urban Cookhouse & Farm Bowl & Juice Co
While very different establishments, these two are owned by the same woman. Urban Cookhouse offers customers with delicious lunch and dinner meals. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu, and their warm orange rolls are mouthwatering delicious. Farm Bowl is an acai place, located next to the Homewood Urban Cookhouse Location. Farm Bowl partners with local farmers in Alabama to bring fresh, locally sourced ingredients to their bowls, smoothies, and juices. You cannot go wrong with either one of these places for an afternoon lunch.
photo from Farm Bowl + Juice Co Instagram
Bitty’s Living Kitchen
Kimberly McNair Brock, Owner & Chef of Bitty’s Living Kitchen
Bitty’s Living Kitchen is the perfect place for healthy and delicious. They offer a variety of juices for your next juice cleanse or fast. It does not get much better than Bitty’s Fresh Pressed Juices to start your day.
photo from Bitty’s Living Kitchen Instagram
Magic City Nutrition
2201 2nd Ave S, suite 104
Birmingham, AL 35233
Faith & Britni, Owners of Magic City Nutrition
Magic City Nutrition is the place to go for a healthy drink. They offer a wide variety of teas and shakes for all your needs. Their shakes are only 200 calories and are full of proteins. You can order ahead, so your drink will be ready by the time you get there. If you love tea or a good shake, but don’t want the calories that come with them, Magic City Nutrition is the place for you.
photo from Magic City Nutrition Instagram
Highlands Bar and Grill
2011 Eleventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Pardis Stitt, Co-Owner of Highlands Bar & Grill
Highland’s Bar and Grill, while temporarily closed because of COVID, is a place you must go before leaving Birmingham. Highland Br and Grill’s cuisine is rooted in French technique and provides customers with a daily changing menu. Highlands is one of the top restaurants in Birmingham, and it has received national recognition. It was named a finalist in the James Beard Foundation Award for Most Outstanding Restaurant in America 9 years straight, before winning it in its 10th nomination year. If that alone is not enough to persuade you, their pastry chef also won Most Outstanding Pastry Chef.
photo from Highlands Bar & Grill Instagram
Satterfield’s Restaurant
3161 Cahaba Heights Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
Becky Satterfield, Owner of Satterfield’s. Photo from Satterfield website
Located in the heart of Cahaba Heights, Satterfield’s is one of Birmingham’s finest culinary destinations. Satterfield’s offers customers a relaxed fine dining experience. They pride themselves on their fresh ingredients, and while their menu changes daily, customers can expect a wonderful blend of cuisines in every bite.
photo from Satterfields Instagram
Crestline Bagel Company
Locations in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village, Cahaba Heights, and Downtown
Jennifer Yarbrough, Co-owner of Crestline Bagel. Photo from Style Blueprint
Crestline Bagel Company has been serving the community of Birmingham for over 20 years. Crestline is the perfect spot for pre-work breakfast. They offer an array of different bagels, made daily. As a sucker for Bacon, Egg, & Cheese bagels, I can say this is an easy favorite place. Crestline’s menu extends past bagels as they offer wraps, sandwiches, salads, panini, or pizza bagels. You can’t go wrong ordering from here.
photo from Crestline Bagel Instagram
Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn
5831 1st Ave. North Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35212
Tanesha Sims-Summers, Founder & CEO of NBN Kettle Corn
I don’t know about you but popcorn is one of my greatest weaknesses. I’m a huge movie lover, and a movie complete without a bowl of popcorn in hand. In recent years I’ve grown to appreciate kettle corn more than the butter covered popcorn at movie theaters. Naught but Nice Kettle Corn satisfies every popcorn craving you can imagine. 10/10 would recommend their salty & sweet kettle corn. However, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous try their green apple pie or strawberry flavors. Either way, I can promise you that you will not regretting stopping by.
photo from Costarters
Automatic Seafood & Oysters
2824 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Suzanne Humphries Evans, Co-Founder of Automatic Seafood. Photo from Bham Now
Here’s another James Beard nominated restaurant – a 2020 finalist for best new restaurant in the U.S. While relatively new to Birmingham, Automatic Seafood has amassed quite the reputation for its flavorful food, ambiance, and service. If you’re a seafood fan, this should be the first place you visit. I highly recommend their fish collar appetizer. It’s arguably my favorite thing I’ve eaten…ever. They are booked most of the time, so schedule ahead of time and reserve online. Automatic Seafood & Oysters reputation precedes them, and I cannot recommend this one enough.
Photo from the Automatic Instagram
Forge celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 with a virtual panel of 3 local female business leaders- you can view the recording of that event on our YouTube channel! If you’ve been working from home and find yourself struggling to be productive, consider coming in for a free day at Forge. With unlimited coffee and super fast wifi, you can be the most productive version of yourself in our workspace! Schedule a tour of Forge today.
Forge News and Updates |
In case you missed it, Monday, March 8, 2021 was International Women’s Day. We here at Forge love to celebrate women every day of the year, but we were especially excited to applaud all of the amazing accomplishments of women during our virtual celebration.
We wanted to champion the numerous contributions women, past present, and future made to society, while highlighting some female owned businesses here in Birmingham. We had the unique privilege of hosting a panel of three incredible, hard-working women to share a bit about their lives, experiences, failures, and more.
Our panel, led by Forge’s Founder and CEO, Kim Lee, includes:
As a new Intern at Forge, I have never been to our International Women’s Day celebration, so I was excited for this event. I gained a lot of insight and advice from hearing about their experiences, both personal and professional. While Kim and the panelists covered more questions and topics than I included in this blog, I wanted to highlight and recap the ones that I felt are most relatable.
Kim Lee, Founder & CEO of Forge
Choose to Challenge
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day Event was Choose to Challenge, and Kim started of the panel asking these women to discuss a time in their career when they ‘Chose to Challenge.’
Mindy started off the panel strong reminding me and everyone that Choosing to Challenge can be as grand or as simple as we want. However, she explains that while “we can choose to challenge…we also have to choose to hold ourselves accountable.” I think this is such an incredible reminder of how women are challengers, in every sense of the word, who have a powerful force of supporters holding them accountable and cheering them on along the way. Javacia encourages us choose to challenge by taking that leap of faith or that jump and “build[ing] [our] wings on the way down.”
Mindy Rohr, Director of Marketing at Bayer Properties
The panelists offer some advice, from their personal experience, about how to step into the unknown or make a change. Stepping away from security and comfort is never easy, neither is change. However, these women encourage us to take that risk.
Delphine Carter, Founder of Boulo Solutions
Javacia’s advice to us is to try to find the median between those differing passions – as there often is. If, for some reason, these passions do not align, Javacia encourages us to not give up on those passions, even if they become “hobbies.” Delphine reminds us that no decision is permanent and if things don’t work out that’s okay – nothing is set in stone. Mindy wraps up this question encouraging women who want to change up their careers to have conversations, ask questions, and network.
Javacia Harris Bowser, Founder of See Jane Write
These women offer up some reassurance for those busy moms who may be struggling to balance all of the different hats women have the privilege of wearing. Delphine reminds us how important it is for us, as women, to give ourselves grace and put less pressure on ourselves.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay! You are not alone, and there are women all around the world feeling the same way as you.
Since I couldn’t include everything that they covered on Monday, I highly encourage you to watch the entire Virtual Celebration with these inspirational women. As a soon to be graduate entering into the work force, I’m honored to learn from these women, and so many like them, so I can step into the workforce more confident and prepared.
If you’re anything like me, you are wanting to hear and learn more from these three women. Well, it is your lucky day because now you can!
In an exclusive podcast, Kim asks the panelist to take a moment to share about their failures and the lessons they’ve learned from them. While I would love to recap all of that here, I would be writing far more than you’d want to read. To hear more about these women’s experiences with failure, head over to the Building Birmingham Together podcast on Spotify and Apple.
We encourage you to choose to challenge yourself by networking and making more connections. Join us for our weekly virtual networking meetings on Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00pm. Find out more about Connect!
To all of the women in our lives. Thank you for everything you do. We, and the world, would not be the same without you.
Forge News and Updates |
In the spirit of giving this holiday season and beyond, we wanted to create a list of nonprofit organizations that are either set in Birmingham or have top members that live here in the Magic City. Although 2020 has been a year filled with challenges, the reward of giving remains.
Magic City Woodworks
This unique organization gives unemployed men “stuck in a rut” an opportunity through a paid 6-month apprenticeship. Magic City Woodworks is a wood and metal shop in the heart of downtown Birmingham that offers beautiful wood pieces with an impactful story.
photo from Magic City Woodworks Facebook page
Urban Avenues
Urban Avenues’ mission is to bring together disconnected communities by inspiring curiosity and to make beautiful things together. They create ventures to add life to the city through art, conversation, and meals. This organization has a passion for people and recognizes the importance of community.
photo from Urban Avenues Facebook
Mwana Villages
Although this nonprofit’s location is far from Birmingham, the U.S. Director, Wellon Bridgers, resides here in the city. Located in the Republic of Congo, Mwana Villages’ mission is to provide refuge for orphans and vulnerable children with an approach that prioritizes family preservation.
photo from Mwana Villages Facebook page
Jefferson County Memorial Project
This grassroots coalition has four main goals that consist of researching documented racial terror victims, educating the public on this history, placing historical markers, and advocating for reform where racial injustice still exists today. Their hope of JCMP is for Alabamians to confront history and reconcile for a better future.
photo from JCMP Facebook page
The Nature Conservancy
For those that are passionate about the Earth, The Nature Conservancy is an organization that is perfect for you. They work to protect Alabama for people and nature to ensure a future where both can thrive.
Jimmie Hale Mission
The Jimmie Hale Mission is an organization that has been a Birmingham staple since 1944. They help men afflicted by homelessness in downtown Birmingham through education remediation, job readiness, and spiritual support.
photo from JHM Facebook page
First Light
First Light is a center for homeless women and children in the Birmingham area, whose mission is to create hospitality in a safe and nurturing community and to allow its members to reach their full potential. They have an emergency shelter, permanent housing programs, and other projects to support the women in the community.
photo from First Light Facebook page
Community Kitchens
Serving lunch 365 days a year, The Community Kitchens is an organization that opens its doors every day to anyone hungry. By serving breakfast during the week in addition to their lunch service, they amount to serving over 65,000 meals a year. Everyone is welcomed and treated as a guest when going to the Community Kitchens.
photo from Community Kitchens Facebook page
Firehouse Ministries
This nonprofit’s mission is to provide homeless men in the Birmingham area, age 18 and above, a caring environment and supportive services to help break them out of the cycle of poverty. Firehouse Ministries treat all guests with dignity, provide those guests accessible and clean facilities, and empowers all guests to achieve their life goals.
While 2020 might have been the hardest year yet, these great organizations continue to make our city a better place. Whether you’re wanting to volunteer more during the new year, or simply want to donate to a Birmingham non-profit, these listed are just a few of the great philanthropic organizations to consider.
Forge News and Updates |
One additional perk to the holiday season, is the promise of a fun seasonal celebration with your office. Unfortunately, because of the need for social distancing, typical office parties might not be possible for this coming December. However, we’ve come up with a list of ideas that can help your company celebrate the holiday season while still keeping safe!
Top Golf
Top Golf can be a great activity for your office to play, as there’s plenty of room for distancing, as well as having an outside location for maximum airflow. They have deals for small or large parties, as well as great food and drink options.
Holiday Card Exchange
Instead of doing an office outing, you can organize a holiday card exchange between the employees. People can make the cards from scratch, support a local card store, or create one on the internet. It can be a special way for the employees to receive a personalized card from coworker.
Christmas Lights
Another great holiday outing, is to bundle up and go look at Christmas lights. You can walk around a coworkers well light neighborhood, or go find a zoo or park with lots of decorations. It’ll be a great way to witness holiday cheer while remaining outside and distanced. If it’s too cold to walk, you can organize a car caravan and create a holiday playlist for everyone to share.
Ice Skating
A fun activity that is perfect for winter weather is ice skating. Research different skating rinks in your town and see if there are any outside or available to rent for private parties. It can be a fun way to celebrate and let loose as an office.
Virtual Cooking Class
Gifting your employees with a timeless lesson, like cooking or a charcuterie board class, can last them with memories and knowledge far beyond the holiday season. You can organize a Zoom or Skype call for everyone to learn a new recipe or cocktail from a local chef!
Use the Budget for Gift Giving
Instead of using the allotted money for a holiday party, you can use the fund to buy small but meaningful gifts for all the employees. This can be a meaningful sign that represents your appreciation for them, while not wanting to gather in person just yet.
For those of you living in Birmingham, we have a couple of ideas specific to the Magic City…
Reserve Space at Forge
The Event Space at Forge has plenty of room for a socially distanced small gathering for your team! The space can be rearranged however is best for your group- plus you can bring in your own drinks and food at no extra charge. The Pizitz Food Hall is just downstairs so you can easily cater food from one of the food stalls and bring it up to Forge. As always, the Event Space and meeting rooms are open to be reserved by the public!
The Urban Cookhouse Managers gathered for a training in the Forge Event Space
Rent Out Queen’s Park
Every holiday season, Queen’s Park is transformed into a Christmas themed bar. It’s available to rent for half a night or all night and even allows you to bring in catering. This can be a great option to celebrate but still have enough space to feel safe.
Photo from Bham Now
Christmas Movie at Alabama Theatre
This holiday tradition is thankfully still continuing this year. Book your tickets now and take your office to go see a classic Christmas movie in the beautiful and historic Alabama Theatre!
Photo from Al.com
Forge News and Updates |
This year it feels more important than ever before to shop local for the holidays. Small businesses need our support in 2020 and thankfully there are so many amazing shops around Birmingham. We’ve curated a gift guide for everyone your list.
Just remember these are gifts and not meant for you (but we won’t tell anyone if you decide to gift yourself).
For Someone With a Sweet Tooth:
Birmingham Candy
Our neighbors at Birmingham Candy Company have created a hometown candy store that everyone in Birmingham can be proud of. They’ve got every sweet you can dream of from caramel apples to fudge and truffles. Buy someone special a gift card or stop in The Pizitz Food Hall and fill up a box of goodies!
Chocolata
Chocolata uses single origin chocolate that is ethically sourced 100% from Latin America and they have so many unique flavors for you to try! If you’ve never stopped by their quaint shop on 2nd Ave. N, it’s a must see. They even have holiday gift sets that you could easily grab!
Big Spoon
Big Spoon Creamery is a small batch, artisan ice cream company and you can tell they are seriously passionate about their craft. The Big Spoon menu always focuses on seasonal flavors with local ingredients.
For Someone Who Loves To Workout
Three15
THREE15 is a workout experience combining 15 minutes of cycling, 15 minutes of barre, and 15 minutes of strength training, into one, high-energy studio fitness experience. They have locations in both Homewood and downtown. Purchase a gift card for your exercise lover friend or family member!
Ignite
Ignite is Birmingham’s only boutique cycling studio! Their main studio is in Pepper Place but they are currently offering open air rides down the street at Sloss Docks. Ignite’s Home for the Holi-Slay Series is available to students and faculty in school outside of Birmingham. Choose from 6 weeks Unlimited Rides for $125 or 3 weeks for $69.
True40
True40 is a boutique fitness studio that provides a 60 minute balanced body, low-impact workout suited for all ages and fitness levels. True40 is located in The Battery and Cahaba Heights. They even have At Home Workouts available on their website!
For the Health Food Lover
Nourish
Nourish Foods is founded by Mary Drennen and Tiffany Vickers Davis- two chefs who wanted and saw a need for healthy, fresh, creative, direct-to-customer food choices. Buy a gift card and your loved one can enjoy chef prepared, southern inspired food that’s delivered right to their door!
Blueroot
Blueroot sells delightful, delicious, and nutrient-dense food for those on the move — because they believe no one should have to sacrifice quality or nutrition for convenience. Give the gift of clean, plant-forward food that can be grabbed on the go!
Harvest Roots
Harvest Roots recently opened their Avondale location and it is definitely worth checking out! Harvest Roots Kombucha is about ingredients, freshness, and innovation. Never too sweet, never too tart. But they don’t have just kombucha- they also have house kimchi, pickles, popcorn and much more. Gift a snack or a kombucha growler to a friend this holiday season!
For Someone Who Needs to be Pampered
FancyFace Bham
Fancy Face is a clean beauty facial bar located in Southside. Facials are designed to give you refreshed skin with no downtime in 30- 45 minutes so it’s an easy way for you to treat a friend! Purchase a gift card on their website or easily schedule a facial for them.
Life Touch Massage
Who doesn’t need a massage in 2020? Give the gift of relaxation and support a downtown Birmingham business at the same time! Life Touch Massage has a wide range of services from deep tissue massage to pregnancy massage and full body scrub!
Shea Shea Beauty and Brow
Shea works right here at Forge as an esthetician and makeup artist. We have seen first hand that Shea has a devoted clientele and lots of rave reviews for her work! Shea Shea Beauty & Brow is a great way to pamper yourself or a friend.
For Someone Who Loves Local, Unique Gifts
Square One Goods Co.
Square One Goods is filled with so many fun, local goods. You can find jewelry, stationery, cards, books, candles and much more. No matter who you’re buying a gift for, you can find something unique at Square One Goods.
Trove Design Shop
Located in Woodlawn, Trove offers a carefully curated selection of “treasures” with an emphasis on craftsmanship and design. If you’re looking for antiques, home decor, aromatherapy goods, books or jewelry, Trove has it all! Right now Trove offers curbside pickup and free local delivery so you can still safely shop.
For the Plant Lover in Your Life
Botanica
Botanica has an amazing selection of tropical and desert houseplants along with unique pots! One of the best parts: Botanica’s plants can be shipped nationwide so you can send them to friends and family who aren’t local. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful if you have any questions about which plant would work best for you.
House Plant Collective
House Plant Collective is Birmingham’s pop-up plant store! They are based out of a renovated (very Instagrammable) school bus with events throughout the city. HPC staff is eager to teach you about plant care and share their plant wisdom!
Shoppe
Shoppe is nestled in Forest Park- it’s the most quaint garden shop you’ll ever see! And they don’t only have plants- inside their shop you’ll find housewares, plant accessories, books and much more. You should also stop in their other store General next door.
For the Book Lover
Thank You Books
Thank You Books is a general interest independent bookstore in the Crestwood neighborhood. Curbside pickup is available during store hours, and they will ship within the US. We love that Thank You Books is woman-owned, community-minded, gratitude-driven. Go check it out if you haven’t already!
Little Professor
Little Professor is Birmingham’s oldest independent bookstore that recently came under new ownership! Stop by their shop in Homewood and browse the aisles of Little Professor for the book lover in your life. You could even gift someone a Little Professor membership- giving them 20% off purchases, 40% off weekly bestsellers, free local delivery and pick up and much more!
Forge is in the business of growing businesses. We care about supporting fellow small business in Birmingham and we hope you do too! Please shop local during the holidays whenever you can.
