There’s more action happening along Birmingham’s Lakeshore Parkway, which has seen continued development over the last year.
Dunkin’ will be opening its second Birmingham location, at 300 Commons Drive, on June 9. That’s just the latest addition in the area despite the hit the Birmingham metro economy took from the coronavirus lockdown measures.
Over the last year, Lakeshore Parkway has seen the opening of, among others:
Premiere Lux Cine', with 11 screens last October.
Conn’s Home Plus in August.
Publix at Lakeshore Pavilion in November.
Cookout in December.
Bio Life and Crazy Cazboy’s, which opened last May.
In addition, Birmingham real estate investment firm Dobbins Group is planning a $46.5 million apartment development off Lakeshore Parkway, slated for completion in mid-2021.
The area, like others, took a major economic hit in the wake of the 2008 recession, when several big anchor stores closed through a combination of bankruptcies and other exits. But even before that, developers had to demolish a good portion of the old Wildwood Centre back in 2007, only 15 years after its construction, after multiple closings.
The Dunkin’ location will be the fifth for the franchise in the Birmingham area. Bluemont Group, the franchisee, says it has a modern design, cold beverage tap system and digital kiosk with a mobile pickup area and digital order status board.
Casey Howard, vice president and associate broker for Harbert Retail, said the Lakeshore area has seen “a significant amount of new growth” over the past year. Because of this, Dunkin’ seems like a natural fit.
“While Covid had slowed a lot of restaurants over the past few months, Dunkin’ kept going strong and we’re excited for them to open their second successful Birmingham store,” she said.