Any resemblance of Homewood, Alabama to Mayberry, North Carolina, the fictional town depicted in the 1960s TV sitcom “Andy Griffith Show,” is due to the fact that most people here know each other. They smile and invite people into their stores, treat them with drinks and snacks, and strike up conversations like: “How is Aunt Betty after her knee surgery?” and, “Have you tasted Sam’s Chicken N' Dumplings? They’re to die for!” The epitome of the similarities between the two towns can be seen in the presence of an old-timey barber shop sign—looking like something from the Sixties—placed across from a new hotel named The Valley.
Mayberry is old-fashioned and homey, filled with regular folks doing everyday things. Yet, Homewood also has hip and modern shops. The small city, considered a suburb of Birmingham, features quaint homes and a quainter downtown. There, you can find a diverse range of shops, a couple of hotels, and plenty of restaurants. American Essence chatted with a few store owners about the magic of downtown Homewood.
Tricia McCain, Homewood Toy & Hobby
“My grandparents started this store in 1950. The city had the Mayberry feel back then, and it kind of still does. They started as a bicycle and lawn mower repair shop and added toys later. We’re lucky to be in downtown Homewood; people support local businesses instead of online stores. This past Christmas, we saw several families from out of town do their shopping here.”
Danielle Davis, Pure Barre
“We have been here for 12 years, and it’s been beyond terrific. We’ve built clientele through word of mouth, and we invest in people. During the pandemic, we closed the shop but did an online livestream [class] on Facebook. We continued our mission of engaging with and helping the community. I attribute our success to being in Homewood. We have amazing foot traffic, and old traditions meet new developments to create a vibrant community. Homewood is a gem, sophisticated and at the same time approachable.”
Preston Foy, Wallace Burke Fine Jewelry
“Homewood is convenient. People who live here prefer not to go far to shop, and we’re close to downtown. I leave my house 20 minutes before the first pitch to take in a Barons [Birmingham’s minor league team] baseball game. The quaintness of the shops is wonderful. We want to be a local store here; most of our customer base is mostly within six to seven miles.”
Brent Godwin, Dave’s Pizza
“Homewood has been an eclectic place to grow up and run a business. Store owners have a smile on their faces. There is a bit of Mayberry; folks know each other and are nice to each other. We have tables reserved permanently for folks with their names on the wall. Homewood is the original hometown community. My dad, David, started Dave’s Pizza with me 30 years ago. He passed away a few years ago, but his legacy of providing good food continues.”
Blake Stevens, O’Henry’s Coffee
“We bought O'Henry’s in 2019 right before the pandemic. Two things made it work: The resiliency of the stores here and the customer support. Homewood folks love their downtown; we provide a sense of connectedness. Other places like Edgar’s Bakery and Little Professor Bookshop serve coffee, but I don’t see it as competition. We’re all providing different experiences for the customer. That resonates in a small, tight-knit community like Homewood.”
Jonathan Robinson, Little Professor Bookshop
“We felt a lot of people were reaching for print, since we’re on a screen most of our lives. What makes this bookshop work is the great density of small and locally-owned retailers. It’s compelling and convenient. There’s a lot of liveliness, and people shop for different things in one spot. Civic pride in Homewood is off the charts. That comes from the homes being close to each other. There’re a lot of young families. Also, the walkability of the city is important. We’re more than a bookstore; we’re a community hub. People see their neighbors and connect with others. Homewood has more Mayberry than San Francisco.”
