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Business
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2020 | ||
| Thanksgiving | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | |
| Ajian Sushi | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Another Broken Egg | Closed | Open | Closed |
| Archibald & Woodrow’s | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Avenue Pub | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Babe’s Doughnut | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Baumhowers Restaurant | Closed | 11 – 4 | Closed |
| Blaze Pizza | Closed | Open??? | Closed |
| Brick & Spoon | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Broadway Pizzeria | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Buffalo Phil’s Wings | Closed | TBA | TBA |
| Catfish Heaven | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Central Mesa | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Chuck’s Fish | Carry Out Only | Closed | Closed |
| Cravings | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Depalma’s Italian Cafe | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Don Tono’s | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Dreamland BBQ – Northport | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Dreamland BBQ – Tuscaloosa | Closed | til 3 pm | Closed |
| Druid City Social | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Evangeline’s | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Five Java | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Flavaz Seafood & Soulfood | Closed | Closes at 5 pm | Closed |
| Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Closed | Close at 4 pm | Closed |
| Frutta Bowls | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Full Moon BBQ | Closed | 10 – 3 | Closed |
| Glory Bound | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Gourmade Kitchen | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Half Shell Oyster House | Closed | 11 – 8 | Closed |
| Heat Pizza Bar | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Heritage House | Closed | Check Social Media | Closed |
| Hokkaido | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Hoo’s Q and Brew | Closed | Check Social Media | Closed |
| Hoo’s Q | Closed | Check Social Media | Closed |
| Hooligans | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Innisfree | Open | Closed | Closed |
| Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill | Closed | Open Lunch | Closed |
| Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ | Closed | till 3 pm | Closed |
| Juice Bar | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Just Love Coffee | Closed | Shortened Hours | Closed |
| Kobe | Closed | Open | Closed |
| Legends Bistro | Open | Check back later | Check back later |
| Local Roots | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Lookout Rooftop Bar | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Los Tarascos | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Mellow Mushroom | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Metro Diner | 9 – 2 | 9 – 2 | Closed |
| Moe’s Original BBQ | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Monarch Espresso | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Mr. Chen’s | Closed | Open | Open |
| Mugshots Grill and Bar | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Peach Pit Bar & Grill | Closed | Check Social Media | Closed |
| Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza | Closed | til 2 pm | Closed |
| R Davidson Chophouse | 11 – 8 | Closed | Closed |
| Raised on Country | Closed | til 4 pm | Closed |
| Rama Jama’s | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Reggae Flava | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| River | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Rock N Roll Sushi | Check Website | Check Website | Check Website |
| Ruan Thai Exotic Thai Cuisine Rest. | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Sage Juice Bar | Closed | Open | Closed |
| Sharks Fish and Chicken | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Shoals Bar and Kitchen | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Side-by-Side | Check Website | Check Website | Check Website |
| Southern Ale House | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Surin of Thailand | Closed | Check back later | Closed |
| Sweet Home Food Bar | Closed | Check back later | Check back later |
| Swen Chinese Restaurant | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Taco Casa | Open | Open | Closed |
| Taco Mama | Closed | til 4 pm | Closed |
| Taziki’s Cafe | Closed | Open | Closed |
| The Juicy Crab | 11 am – 4 pm | Open | 11 am – 4 pm |
| The Waysider | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Turbo Coffee | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| Twelve25 | Check back later | Check back later | Check back later |
| UPerk | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Urban Cookhouse | Closed | Check back later | Closed |
| Veracruz Mexican Grill | Closed | Check back later | Closed |
| VooDoo Wing Company | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Wilhagan’s | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Wing Stop | 5 pm – 12 am | Closed | Closed |
| World Of Beer | Closed | Check back later | Check back later |
| Zoe’s Kitchen (all locations) | Check Website | Check Website | Check Website |
It is International Coffee Day and there is only one way to celebrate. Treat yourself to the must-needed companion, Coffee, as the work and school year are in full swing. With the temperature slowly dropping like an autumn leaf, what better time than now to discover a new coffee shop where you can enjoy specially-curated coffee brews and specialty coffee drinks? The City of Tuscaloosa is home to a variety of eclectic local cafes and shops to satisfy your coffee, so you’re in luck! Below is a list of locations around town where you can discover your new favorite cup of joe and celebrate International Coffee Day accordingly!
Coffee with Breakfast
You simply cannot go wrong with a hot (or iced) cup of coffee paired with a tasty treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. What are you waiting for? Start your week off with a little pick-me-up! On the corner of Greensboro and University Blvd sits Babe’s Donuts, this local favorite has earned quite a reputation around town with exceptional service and plenty of delicious treats to choose from. Their donuts can be topped with anything from fruity pebbles to Reese’s and Heath Bars, so be sure to scope out the many options before choosing wisely. Start your week off with this little pick-me-up! They are only open for take-out, so finding a good view of Downtown T-town to enjoy your killer combo is a must.
Breakfast with Coffee
If you are looking for a spot to grab a bigger meal and still celebrate today’s holiday, check out Another Broken Egg or Five Bar! Both of these restaurants offer a delicious variety for breakfast, brunch, and lunch (as well as dinner for Five). There is indoor seating available for those that want to get out of the house, but don’t forget to bring your mask! Five Bar also has a dedicated coffee shop that is open every day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm! Visit either of these T-Town stops to pair an incredible meal with a delightful cup of joe.
On-the-Go
Traveling all around the city of Tuscaloosa is the Joyful Java food truck! This one-of-a-kind coffee stop is considered a must-try by hundreds of UA students. Each cup is filled with a full-bodied flavor, from beans that are daily roasted and brewed fresh. If that isn’t quite your style, no problem! Joyful Java has a nice variety to choose from, including nitro brew, Greek frappe, espresso, and even caramel apple cider. There are no wrong choices here. Find Joyful Java in Tuscaloosa, or have ’em out to cater to your next event!
Uniquely Local
Tuscaloosa is home to several unique coffee houses that all bring something special and different to this town’s cafe scene. Turbo Coffee, for example, offers cold-pressed juices, açai bowls, and superfood smoothies in addition to their coffee selection. If you are looking for to-go options, Monarch Espresso Bar currently offers wonderful window service and outdoor seating so visitors can continue to visit the shop and socialize safely while enjoying a cup of coffee!
Coming Soon
A classy coffee cafe, Just Love Coffee, is joining Tuscaloosa in a few weeks and we can hardly wait. Run by a mission to spread joy and kindness communities, this new local shop is sure to bring something unique to T-Town. Former alumni of The University of Alabama and two brothers are more than determined to spread the mission of Just Love Coffee to the Tuscaloosa area. In addition to the specially-curated coffee, Just Love also offers a menu of delectable goodies ranging from chicken and waffles to salads! Be sure to join us in giving this local business a warm welcome when they open!
National coffee day is here, and the one and only Tuscaloosa has no shortage of local spots to stop in and grab a cup to celebrate. No matter what type of atmosphere you’re looking for, Tuscaloosa has plenty of unique coffee shops to satisfy that caffeine craving.
Edelweiss
Located on Temerson Square, you can find Edelweiss tucked humbly in between the lively downtown bars. The quaint German café opened its doors in 2007 and boasts some of the best pastries in town, made fresh every morning. They also feature lunch specials, which are served Monday through Friday and are changed monthly. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or even just a coffee and a traditional German pastry.
Monarch
One of the newest additions to Tuscaloosa’s growing coffee scene, Monarch opened its doors earlier this year and has already established itself as a local hotspot downtown. The community-powered coffee shop was founded by two UA alumni with not only a passion for a good cup of coffee but also a love for Tuscaloosa and its people. Even before opening its doors in 2017, Monarch was backed by the community through a Kickstarter campaign to help fund startup costs and make what was once a dream a reality. Although new to town, Monarch embraces the diversity of Tuscaloosa with an inviting, ‘come as you are’ atmosphere where all are welcome.
OHenry’s
Dr. Henry Bright founded OHenry’s Coffee in Downtown Homewood, AL in 1993, completely unaware of the landmark he just established. 17 years later, OHenry’s has grown to 5 locations and boasts over 30 different types of coffee. The Birmingham-based icon opened the doors of its new Tuscaloosa location last year and it has quickly become a favorite of both college students and locals alike.
Heritage House
As the original coffee house of Tuscaloosa, Heritage House has been serving up fresh baked goods and café breakfasts and lunches to its customers since 1994. The local favorite has seen three different owners and has grown just as much as the town itself, with a new location opening its doors at Riverfront Village last year. The easygoing rustic atmosphere makes this gem feel like a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, somewhere to warm your heart and also fill your stomach.
Written by Katy Aspinwall
Spring is here and with it come showers! No need to worry though, Tuscaloosa offers a bunch of interesting and fun things to do indoors! Alongside the typical museum visit – which is of course still an awesome adventure – we show you some exceptional and memorable things to do on a rainy day!
- Any of Tuscaloosa’s Museums
Yes sure it is the cliché part of this list, but even at a classic topic like museums, Tuscaloosa has some places to surprise you. Have you ever been to a car museum? The Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, located 15 Minutes outside of Tuscaloosa, offers you an inside view on car production in America’s only Mercedes factory and the famous brand’s history! On top of that, guided tours are available.
For the ones who are rather interested in extinct models, the Alabama Museum of Natural History is a perfect place to visit with its impressive dinosaur bones and many other exciting things to discover!
- Art Galleries
As John F. Kennedy already said, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” and so the diverse art galleries in town are always worth a visit. The Kentuck Art Center in Northport is an all-in-one museum, gallery and event location that offers exciting exhibitions at all times. In the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa lies the Paul R. Jones Gallery, currently showing the exhibition “Perspectives: Individual Explorations of Identity Through Image” and the Sarah Moody Gallery, which is known for the UA’s Permanent Collection!
- Coffee Shops
What cozier place could there be to hide from a rainy day than a traditional coffee shop? The smell of coffee and pastries in the air, people reading the newspaper, studying or chatting steadily alongside a laid-back playlist…. sounds perfect to us! Tuscaloosa offers many such magical places. For example, the local chain Heritage House, the brand new Monarch Espresso Bar downtown or the traditional Edelweiss in Temerson Square. Choose one and enjoy!
- Brewery
The three big breweries in Tuscaloosa are the perfect place to spend a gray afternoon among friends and America’s favorite drink: Beer. Druid City Brewing Company, Black Warrior Brewing Company and Band of Brothers offer great brews and some even offer guided tours to learn something about the brewing process. Of course, it’s also a nice place to just sit and enjoy drinking it in a nice and homely atmosphere!
- Theatres
It doesn’t matter if you prefer classic theater or movie theater because Tuscaloosa has both and either is the perfect place to escape a rainy day! Enjoy a new blockbuster or any other genre you like at the Cobb Theaters Hollywood 16 Cinemas and choose between 2D, 3D and even more fancy options to make your movie experience a perfect fit. You could even dive into more old school theater as you watch a play at the Bama Theater, whose old atmospheric style is almost magical! It offers concerts, independent movies and stage play.
We couldn’t decide on just 5 for this article so here’s our encore! Two more to add to your rainy day to-do list:
- University Mall
Shopping is always a great choice! The “place to be” on a rainy day is University Mall! Located on McFarland Boulevard, it offers tons of stores with all your favorite styles and brands. Children’s entertainment and numerous restaurants also offer fun and entertainment for anyone and guarantee a relaxed day of shopping.
- Breakout Tuscaloosa
You are adventurous and looking for a real challenge on a rainy day? Then you should definitely try the new trend of escaping room games! The reopened location “Breakout Tuscaloosa” offers four different themed breakout rooms in which you have to solve a riddle and escape the room in a certain amount of time. There’s also a breakout expedition downtown with laser tag! The escape rates are between 20% and 35% – it must be a challenge!
Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern
Fragrant and soothing, the gentle notes of tea leaves and freshly brewed coffee is the first thing to greet you when you find yourself at Tea Town in historic downtown Northport. The second is the friendly and warm people behind the counter who eagerly serve flavorful and proudly brewed teas! While it feels like the tea shop has been here forever, it wasn’t too long ago you had to wait to see the charming tea trailer or tea peddler as it bounced around town. Founders, Jonathan and Becca Gardner were living with their kids out in rural California, experiencing the growing organic and food-truck movement. It was after their kids grew older, and the closest middle school was an hour away, they made the decision to come back home to Alabama.
As they left the Golden State, they brought with them an excitement for those new trends they noticed and wanted to bring it to Tuscaloosa. Jonathan started working at the organic Snows Bend Farm and dreamt about starting a locally sourced food truck. When they were trying to plan out the idea, it was Becca who said they should start off as a tea truck. She figured since they had a passion for it, and there was an open market for a healthier brand of drinks in town it would work.
Although Alabama isn’t known for its tea leaf production, they still were set on using organically grown leaves, and sourcing from local farmers for anything else they could use like lavender or mint. The name came easily enough since T-Town is one of the more common nicknames for Tuscaloosa. It was the branding of the whimsical, turn of the century-style artwork that needed extra time to steep. Originally the brand would be based on the imagery of Victorian carnivals and circuses. Becca, who is an artist, originally envisioned the idea for the kind of carnival aesthetic.
While originally the truck and overall brand would have that kind of Victorian circus color scheme, it was toned down to the more boardwalk style with string lights and it’s easy to spot muted yellow truck. Becca drafted the ideas with the Victorian style woman in an almost acrobatic pose gently blowing off the playful steam for their logo. As Jonathan puts it, “ anything that looks good” she did.
Their first night with their signature tea truck was at the Kentuck Art Center, and then only two weeks later joined in the Kentuck Art Festival. After some initial bumps in settling into such a large crowd, the tea leaves started to settle. The tea truck was running around town for over a year and a half, spotted at the Tuscaloosa River Market, and art festivals before the idea of becoming a brick and mortar store.
Since the truck needed an official commissary to operate, Mary’s Cakes and Pastries offered to be theirs. So when the time came to pick a place to open out of, Mary gave them a section of the bakery to become their storefront. Here too, with the stained wood and rustic feel you can see the artful eye of Becca alongside the ideas for expanding into more than tea with kombucha, coffee, and other flavorful drinks.
Loving to cook, Jonathan took that passion and used it to create the flavors and smells of their teas with the same attention needed for any culinary creation. Even though tea is their main product, he hasn’t totally left his talent with food behind, and since opening their store they have had food to table nights in the courtyard. They have hosted various cooks and themed dinners in their store to keep that passion for food alive.
While the store and brand have grown successfully, the Gardners have scaled back to keep it going, while gaining more time to spend with their now high school aged kids. They take the time to enjoy their own gardening and exploring the growing art, music, and food scene around town while still keeping their dedication to Tea Town being for the people.
All while staying focused on being a local fixture, they have been able to branch out and sell their blends to other local cafes and stores. Even now they are gearing up to make appearances in Birmingham’s Pepper Place Farmers Market. With the art scene helping build up Tea Town, they’ve been able to give back to it with supporting not only Kentuck, but helping the new organization Sassafras; which is focused on bringing more bike paths, and their main idea for a park with a community garden, sculpture park, and a art center.
They also host poetry nights and events that celebrate the ever-growing art scene in Tuscaloosa. They even had their story come full circle when they hosted the first night for Local Roots outside their store. Jonathan and Becca are now trying to grow more of their own ingredients, but are hoping to get more into possibly farming their own tea leaves. Tea Town started as a little seed of an idea, blossomed into a truck, a store, and now enjoys helping out the community they came to serve one fresh cup of delicious tea at a time!