The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) announces its partnership with the City of Birmingham on the first-ever Legacy Business Awards, a program dedicated to honoring longstanding, community-serving businesses that have been operating within the city limits for 25 years or more. The celebration honors the special place that these anchor businesses hold in the city’s cultural and historical fabric.
The Legacy Business Program, spearheaded by the the City of Birmingham in partnership with BBA, is an initiative aimed at recognizing and preserving the valuable establishments that have played a role in shaping Birmingham’s identity. The program certifies businesses that have operated in the city for 25 years or longer and have less than 20 employees. While often small in scale, the businesses are significant in their contributions to the community.
“Honoring our legacy businesses is honoring the past, present and future of our community.”
“Honoring our legacy businesses is honoring the past, present and future of our community,” said Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the City of Birmingham. “These businesses are the foundation of our business community and serve as models of success. We are delighted to honor them and will continue to create opportunities and support as they continue to operate in this great community.”
This year’s inaugural Legacy Business Awards honors seven remarkable Birmingham businesses, each with a unique story to tell. These businesses symbolize the enduring spirit of Birmingham’s small business ecosystem
The honorees include:
1. Davenport and Harris
2. Eagle’s Restaurant
3. Etheridge Brothers
4. Green Acres Café
5. JB’s House of Fashion
6. Poole Funeral Home
7. The Birmingham Times
"It was an honor to be recognized by BBA along with a storied list of Birmingham business institutions that have meant so much to this community over the decades. And for our organization to receive the business Trailblazer award could not have been any more appropriate as it fits our founder, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis's life narrative,” stated Samuel P. Martin, Publisher of The Birmingham Times.
This year’s Legacy Business Awards ceremony took place on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The awards were made possible with the generous support of the title sponsor, Prosper, along with additional sponsors Wells Fargo, Regions, Shipt and Birmingham Business Resource Center. The selection process for the awards involves nominations from residents, with a selection committee of local resource providers and event sponsors making the final decisions.
One exceptional business, Poole Funeral Home, is inducted as the first member of the Randall L. Woodfin Legacy League – an accolade bestowed upon one business annually in recognition of their significant community involvement.
“Their stories of survival, perseverance and grit deserve to be heard and serve as an encouraging reminder to current and future generations of entrepreneurs.”
“We are grateful to connect with these businesses and learn the stories of how they became such foundational pieces of our beautiful city,” said Naila Jackson, director of BBA’s Network Navigator and Legacy Business program. “Their stories of survival, perseverance and grit deserve to be heard and serve as an encouraging reminder to current and future generations of entrepreneurs.”
BBA manages the Legacy Business Program in partnership with the City of Birmingham’s Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity (OBDO). BBA's commitment to the initiative underscores the organization’s dedication to supporting and enhancing an environment where small businesses can thrive and succeed.
In the coming months, BBA will collaborate closely with key stakeholders to build a more robust registry of legacy businesses throughout the community. Additionally, they will host a series of educational workshops on topics ranging from succession planning, exit strategies, financial planning, mergers and more.