At least 10 businesses, from restaurants and salons to boutiques and fitness studios, are on the slate of businesses to open in downtown Birmingham in early 2013.
One of the first to open may be Francesca's Collection at 115 Old Woodward South, which is scheduled to open its doors in February.
Market, the restaurant still in production by Luxe Bar & Grill's owners is scheduled for early in the year, but there's no official word from the couple on exactly when.
Adding to the restaurant scene, specifically the already crowded steakhouse set,will be Stoney River Legendary Steaks. It will replace the closed Max & Erma's at 280 Merrill Street. Both are owned by the same company. The opening date is set as early 2013.
Dailey Method, a local outpost of the San Francisco-originated workout that mixes ballet bar work, core conditioning, muscle strengthening, yoga and orthopedic exercises, is expected to open in early January and will give the restaurant-goers a place to work off the calories. There will be onsite child care, shower facilities and a boutique at the space in Birmingham Place.
Found Objects, a women's and men's clothing, accessories and lifestyle boutique, is also expected to open in February at 241 E. Merrill St.
Other boutiques, salons and restaurants are on the horizon.
"Birmingham's retail occupancy is 96.4%, the highest percentage since we started tracking 11 years ago," says John Heiney, executive director of the Birmingham Principal Shopping District. " We are looking forward to new stores opening in the first quarter."
Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: John Heiney, executive director, Birmingham Principal Shopping District
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