CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO FULL SERIES PAGE Central Alabama's shopping centers are thriving despite the rise of online shopping, with The Summit in Birmingham and Midtown Village in Tuscaloosa leading the way. "The Summit is great," said Tracey Mayfield, a shopper. The popularity of online shopping presents challenges for brick-and-mortar stores, but many people in Central Alabama still prefer shopping at The Summit.
"It feels like a vibrant place," said Abbi Brunson, a shopper who has been visiting The Summit since she lived in Dothan. "I would drive a couple of hours to visit The Summit," she added. The Summit's owners, Jeffrey Bayer and David Silverstein, aimed to bring unique retail options to Birmingham when they opened the center in the 1990s.
"Our goal day one was to bring retail that was not here that should be here," said Silverstein. "I bet you we have some 30 to 40 that do not have second locations in Birmingham or not in the state," said Bayer. Stores like Travis Matthew, Untuck-It, and the new Peter Millar store are unique to Alabama and can only be found at The Summit.
These unique and luxury stores attract shoppers from across the region. "There was a lot of sales tax leakage coming from Birmingham to shop in Atlanta," Silverstein said. The Summit offers more than just shopping.
It features dining and entertainment options, including several specialty restaurants, fine dining, and an AMC Theatre. "The goal is for people to be able to come here and do it all," Bay.