16 of our favorite new small businesses opened in 2023—bakeries, coffee shops + more

This year was filled with huge new developments for Alabama (we’ve got a whole recap of that), but we love spotlighting small businesses too. In 2023, new spots for coffee, treats, drinks and more opened up throughout the state, each offering something unique. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

Tea + coffee (+ books!)

This time of year, we can’t get enough of coffee shops + cozy reads.

• Hailing from Starkville, Strange Brew Coffeehouse opened its doors in January on the Tuscaloosa strip.
• Southside, a small town near Gadsden, welcomed a coffee shop + community hub in July—Volt Coffee.
• A Seattle-inspired coffee shop, Cascade Coffee Co., opened its doors this summer in Jackson.
• Wild Honey Coffee, already popular at its three other Alabama locations, opened in Daleville this September.
• Daphne welcomed a beautiful new cafe in August called Press & Co., serving up coffee, smoothies, juices + more.
• Lala’s, a new bookstore + cafe, recently opened in Ashville, and it’s a must-visit.
• In December, a magical new tea room, Enchanted Gatherings, celebrated its grand opening in downtown Florence.

Bars + speakeasies

There are plenty of fun times to be had at these new spots from The Shoals to Mobile.

• GrandStand is one of the trendiest new sports bars to watch football games in Tuscaloosa.
• A historic spot in downtown Tuscaloosa is now home to a speakeasy-inspired cocktail lounge, Brown’s Corner.
• On Mobile’s Jackson Street, you’ll find the new Bar IX in the former home of Saddle Up Saloon.
• A 70s and 80s-inspired theatre in Florence, Alabama has gotten new life with the opening of Up Late at Vivian Theatre, a new cocktail bar, dance club + venue for concerts and events.
• Through the back door of an upscale Italian spot in Auburn, you’ll find a new speakeasy called Oz (but you didn’t hear it from us).

Bakeries + sweet treats

Now for my personal favorite—the sweets. Whether you’re a fan of cookies, pie or ice cream (or all of the above), these new small businesses are satisfying Alabama’s cravings.

• Ever been to an ice cream shop that also has a wine cave? Moonshot, which opened in Tuscaloosa this summer, is just that.
• A new cookie shop in Winfield, Something Sweet, is an adorable spot for, well, something sweet (including their signature “yoyos”).
• Even though Pies by Mike in Clanton isn’t quite new, their “pie vending machine” is—check it out.
• While it’s not open quite yet, Ben’s Bread is working on a physical location for serving its loyal Tuscaloosa customers.

Looking for new small business in Huntsville and Birmingham? Check out Hville Blast and Bham Now.

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