Downtown Wetumpka’s Company Street is our 2023 Cutest Street in Alabama

Our 2023 Cutest Street in Alabama is Downtown Wetumpka’s Company Street. There are many factors that contribute to our distinction of “Cutest Street in Alabama.” This year, our decision was […]

Keep reading

Alabama’s Oyster Revival: Restoring the bounty at Cedar Point Beach

While the Gulf Coast produces some of the nation’s best oysters, the southern staple is becoming a rare delicacy due to its population decline over the last 70 years. This environmental restoration project will reinvigorate oyster reefs at Cedar Point Beach.

Keep reading

Beauty and Innovation: Sharing Alabama’s greatest asset with the world

“We are fortunate to live in a state that is blessed with such natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains of Northeast Alabama, through the River Region and Black Belt in the center of the state, to the beaches and bays of the Gulf Coast, Alabama has something outdoors for everyone.”

Keep reading

Alabama’s oldest family-owned restaurant to host Night in New Orleans

Traditions run deep at The Bright Star in Bessemer, Alabama’s oldest family-run restaurant. And plans are coming together for one of its most popular rituals, the annual Night in New Orleans featuring a guest chef from the Big Easy. The “night” is actually three nights, featuring a special menu representing cuisines by both the guest chef and The Bright Star. The 34th annual Night in New Orleans is set for Thursday, August 3 through Saturday, August 5. Eric Cook, co-owner and executive chef of the restaurants Gris-Gris (Magazine Street) and Saint John (French Quarter) returns to Bessemer for a second year to conjure his creole dishes

Keep reading

Alabama-based brand lands Banana Republic collaboration

The formal announcement recently made by the Banana Republic team was a cause for celebration for Alabama natives. Banana Republic is introducing an expansion to BR Home that will include a bedding collection by Alabama-based Red Land Cotton. In the words of President and CEO Sandra Stangl, “Our expanded Home collection is central to our vision to be the premier lifestyle brand that positions BR as an experiential and cultural cornerstone in our customers’ lives.”

Keep reading

The 3 most unique Airbnbs in Alabama

The advent of the Airbnb concept has redefined travel for many. Previously, travel could be experienced in a very limited number of ways—hotels, resorts, friends’ homes. Airbnb has given travelers the ability to experience trips in a way that adds a distinct layer of depth and understanding of the area. By being given the option to stay in homes within the community, the experience of the traveler becomes increasingly novel. Alabama boasts a number of interesting and unique Airbnbs throughout the state, and we have put together a list of three must-visit spots.

Keep reading

Jesse’s Restaurant opens new location On The Bay

The owners and chef behind the Magnolia Springs landmark Jesse’s Restaurant are dropping anchor at Fort Morgan with a new casual fine dining concept. Every table has a view of the water at Jesse’s on the Bay, which opened along the stretch leading to the historic fort and tourist attraction. The executive chef over both Jesse’s, Larry Agnew, pays painstaking attention to detail. He sources the restaurants’ produce and proteins as nearby as possible. The kitchen ages its prime beef, heritage pork, and even Gulf fish to enhance its flavors. The new location in Fort Morgan boasts a raw bar featuring Alabama-farmed half-shell oysters and house-made fish ceviche. Both join the cast on the bayside restaurant’s ornate seafood tower.

Keep reading

Randall Porter

A Man About Town: How to cultivate your personal style

The problem isn’t necessarily that you have nothing to wear, but that you have nothing you like to wear. This happens when you shop without your personal style in mind. And it can change with each season. We have all been there and out of all of the choices, nothing feels like you.

Keep reading

Adios Bar in Birmingham celebrates the owners’ Mexican heritage

When Jose Medina Camacho was growing up, the last thing he wanted to do was work in the hospitality industry. After immigrating from Michoacán, Mexico with his mother and brother at the age of 3, he spent many of his adolescent years working in his uncles’ restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Jasper, and beyond. “My grandfather was a dishwasher at the restaurant,” he says. “All my uncles were cooks. It was kind of like a family affair.”

Keep reading

Visit Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama

Rising above the clouds, it earned the name, “Island in the Sky.” The Creek Nation labeled it “Chaha,” meaning “high place” in the Muskogee language. At 2,407 feet above sea level, Cheaha State Park towers over the rest of the state as its highest point. Located in the town of Delta in North Alabama, this oasis stretches wide across the horizon in the midst of 2,799 acres of state park, plus the surrounding 392,567 acres of the Talladega National Forest, which in turn encompasses more than 7,000 acres of the Cheaha Wilderness. It affords a rare luxury in these crowded times—miles of vista oblivious to human touch.

Keep reading

Andiamo Lodge offers a rustic-luxe stay in Mentone

When it comes to Southern mountain towns, Alabama isn’t always first to come to mind. While places like Asheville, North Carolina; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; and the Blue Ridge mountains snatch up the vast majority of visitors each year, the tiny northeast Alabama town of Mentone (with a population of just over 300) may be the South’s best-kept secret. At least that’s what Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter thought when they purchased a cabin on Mentone’s Little River in 2020. 

Keep reading

Ranburne family turns dairy farm into plant nursery, café, and community space

In east Alabama, just miles from the Georgia border, is the tiny town of Ranburne. The community of fewer than 500 isn’t known by many outside of Cleburne County, but in March of 2020 local couple Taylor and Cole Gibbs gave Alabamians a reason to take notice. They opened the Barn of Blooms. a plant nursery and community gathering space selling everything from seeds to shade trees—all grown by local farmers. 

Keep reading

Recent Stories

see all stories

Get the Newsletter

join our list

Stay updated on the latest stories and receive exclusive content from SoulGrown directly to your inbox.

01

The history behind one of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks

On a clear day in downtown Birmingham, passersby can spot a certain futuristic white building looking out over the city. For many Birmingham residents, this is a well-known city landmark […]

read more

02

Moments in the Mountains: A fall guide to 24 hours in Mentone, Alabama

Fall in Alabama is always a fan favorite. With ideal temperatures and the holiday season in sight, the fall feeling is palpable across the state. One of the best ways […]

read more

03

Discovering Decatur: A hidden architectural gem in the heart of the South

Think of North Alabama, and you’ll likely think of the booming, brilliant metropolis of Huntsville, widely known for its aerospace industries and military technology. Or, you music-types may conjure images […]

read more

04

Homegrown Harmonies: 3 Alabama bands to add to your fall playlist

With summer coming to an end and the temperatures beginning to drop, Alabamians can start preparing for indoor activities. While you are spending time with family or hosting your friends, […]

read more

Partnerships & Collaborations

work with soulgrown

SoulGrown actively fosters partnerships and collaborations with small businesses, organizations, and individuals across Alabama, promoting community engagement and amplifying local voices.

connect with us