In December 2024, Party City, announced it was closing after being in business for nearly 40 years. The news hit hard for not only consumers, but also entrepreneurs such as Tanesha Sims-Summers.
As the co-owner of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co., a Birmingham-based business she built from scratch, Tanesha couldn’t help but take the news personally. Watching a giant fall after decades of success made her pause and reflect. What went wrong for them? And, more importantly, could her own business face the same fate?
Tanesha Sims-Summers started Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. in 2014 with three flavors. Today, she has eight flavors, a storefront and a processing space. She runs the business with her husband, Clem Summers. (Photo Source: Tanesha Sims-Summers)
Then, she asked herself the hard questions: Was she running her own business based on her feelings or based on the numbers.
But the faith, drive and passion within her told her she was on the right path and to keep going.
“I’m just not at that point where I’m ready to throw in the towel, even at the roughest moment because it’s a burning desire within me to live out the purpose for this business,” she said. “That’s why we say, ‘Poppin’ with a purpose. Sweeter together.’ ”
Seretha Williams had one goal today, and that was to drive nearly an hour from Sylacauga, AL to Birmingham, AL to try the new brunch menu at Encore Rouge.
Seretha and her family are big fans, and they didn’t want to miss the new roll out, which includes Creole shrimp and grits, French toast, chicken and waffles and more.
The Creole shrimp and grits from Encore Rouge can come in different ways. This version is “all the way,” featuring shrimp, sausage and crumbled bacon. Customers can also get it with just shrimp or shrimp and sausage. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
“When I used to stay in Birmingham, I would be at the (Encore Rouge) food truck all the time. So when the owner opened the restaurant (in 2022), I was like ‘OK, I’m supporting us,’ ” said Seretha, 35. “I make it a habit to come up here every couple of months.”
Encore Rouge added the Saturday brunch to its menu to help kick off the new year and see if it’s something that patrons will like. It received high praise from Seretha; her mother, Kina Kelly, 60, and their cousin, Shirley Conley, 61.
“I just moved back to Birmingham in June, and I’ve been back six or seven times since June. I love it,” Shirley said. “One thing about Encore Rouge, you can’t go wrong.”
When Antoinne Davis woke up this morning, he checked social media and his heart sank.
Post after post talked about the rainy forecast for Saturday, Jan. 18, the same day he plans to launch his new brunch menu at Encore Rouge, bursting with bold bites such as New York Cheesecake French Toast with a strawberry compote, peach cobbler egg rolls with a vanilla drizzle, cinnamon French toast, collard green rolls stuffed with dirty rice and pieces of turkey, chitterling eggrolls, and much more.
Antoinne Davis owns Encore Rouge Gourmet Street Food Restaurant in downtown Birmingham. (Photo provided by Antoinne Davis)
But Antoinne, 41, didn’t let a wet forecast wash away his determination. He got up and headed to his restaurant.
“If you think negative, negative things will happen,” he said, after chopping vegetables and marinating meats for Saturday. “Encore Rouge is going to bring the sunshine, rain, sleet or snow.”
The fork glides through the braised beef short rib like butter. The taste and texture remind you of an old school pot roast Sunday dinner cooked with comfort and care.
On the fork’s second round, creamy cheese grits and sautéed asparagus take center stage. They hold your attention, but you still can’t forget how the first course’s rich-tasting roasted butternut squash soup made you feel. It was velvety smooth and oh, so inviting. And not to be outdone, the Italian lemon cream cake drizzled with a homemade raspberry puree brings in a bright, sweet finish that turns heads and tastebuds.
The person behind this simple and satisfying showcase is Matt Murphree, a chef who has cooked in other Birmingham restaurants before settling in at Arlington in 2015. Since he’s been there, he’s changed the game in the way Arlington presents its monthly lunches and in-house catering for booked events there.
“When I serve people, I want it to be good,” Matt said. “I want them to walk away happy, full and hopefully, come back for more.”
Inside the Birmingham Museum of Art, you’ll find more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and decorative arts representing various cultures. But did you know that you’ll also find a cafe that serves one of the best burgers in the Magic City?
It’s Juniper at the Museum, which is brought to you by the same owners of Juniper in Forest Park. The museum cafe opened in February 2024 and operates Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (During a return visit to the cafe on Jan. 16, I learned that the cafe will be closing the museum location. Their last day will be Jan. 24.)
On a recent Tuesday, I stopped by for lunch, where I not only experienced an amazing lunch but also excellent customer service and beverages.
And I’m not the only fan. I was surrounded by tables full of what looked like happy diners. There was a table full of adults with children. Behind me was a mother and son. Over to my left was a couple and way behind me was another couple with a man happily snapping a photo of his sandwich.
“Not only do we provide you with the best surroundings, but good food,” Chef Omar Radford said after visiting my table, which I noticed is something he did with several other diners. “We pride ourselves in not saying, ‘No.’ I take real, honest pride in my work.”
The pride of Chef Omar and staff could be felt in the cafe, where appetizing food on plates and colorful art prints on the wall mirror the same vibe you’ll find at the Forest Park location. The museum menu features hummus plates, hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, creative beverages and a special Rice Krispy treat dessert. There are also desserts from Last Call Baking Co.
It’s 1 p.m. on the afternoon of Jan. 4, and Denise Peterson is wearing a T-shirt that says, “Imma Overcomer.”
It’s a meaningful mantra for a woman who is moving Yo Mama’s, a 10-year-old restaurant she runs with her daughter, Crystal, into a new and larger space in downtown Birmingham.
Crystal Peterson, left, and Denise Peterson are a daughter-mother duo who started Yo Mama’s in Birmingham, AL in November 2014. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Walking through the new 5,500-plus square foot space, which is a huge shift from the 1,300 square foot original location, Denise admits that one thing she had to overcome was the fear of growth.
“You can get content in where you are and end up staying there, but not be where God wants you to be because of fear,” said Denise, 68. “So, I had to overcome that part of it to say, ‘OK, we can make this happen.’ ”
“In this environment, there can be a lot of things that can come against you, but when you make it through it, you overcome it,” said Denise, a Birmingham native. “If it doesn’t take you down, then you are all right.”
The chicken and waffles at Yo Mama’s has received high praise through the years. In 2024, Southern Living said it was one of the top 35 restaurants to visit in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
For six years, Kristal Bryant was overlooked for promotions at a chain restaurant, where she worked as a five-star line cook.
She was skilled in handling all of the food stations and even worked double shifts to cover for others. When the company asked her to help open locations in other cities, she answered the call. But every time she inquired about a promotion, she was told, “We’ll get you in,” when the next door opens.
But that “next door” never came.
Kristal’s husband, Jonathan, saw how hard Kristal worked without advancement. So, he pushed her toward her passion: Step out on faith and do your side cake business, full time.
K&J’s Elegant Pastries in Birmingham’s City Walk area has 120 different cupcake flavors, but has a select set of flavors on the menu every day. (Photo source: Kristal Bryant)
Those words stopped Kristal cold. The year was 2010, and she was a 27-year-old mother of two small girls. Even though Jonathan had a good job with the railroad, she wondered if she’d be able to make a living out of baking cakes and contribute to the household.
Still, with faith and determination, Kristal took the leap. It wasn’t easy. There were challenges, doubts and even tears. But over time, her fears gave way to confidence.
Today, Kristal’s leap of faith has paid off in ways she never imagined. Her downtown Birmingham business, K&J’s Elegant Pastries & Creamery, is a place where repeat customers, high-profile corporations, celebrities and professional athletes make orders. She’s baked cakes for Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Da Brat, and Slutty Vegan CEO Pinky Cole, appeared on Good Morning America and the Food Network, and does monthly cooking segments on Birmingham’s WBRC.
Through it all, one of her guiding principles has been the Bible verse: “Faith without works is dead.’’
“I have the faith, and as long as I put in the work, this will be successful,” Kristal said. “And that’s one of the things that’s always kept me, sane, even running the business now.”
