Any resemblance of Homewood, Alabama to Mayberry, North Carolina, the fictional town depicted in the 1960s TV sitcom “Andy Griffith Show,” is due to the fact that most people here know each other. They smile and invite people into their stores, treat them with drinks and snacks, and strike up conversations like: “How is Aunt Betty after her knee surgery?” and, “Have you tasted Sam’s Chicken N' Dumplings? They’re to die for!” The epitome of the similarities between the two towns can be seen in the presence of an old-timey barber shop sign—looking like something from the Sixties—placed across from a new hotel named The Valley.
Mayberry is old-fashioned and homey, filled with regular folks doing everyday things. Yet, Homewood also has hip and modern shops. The small city, considered a suburb of Birmingham, features quaint homes and a quainter downtown. There, you can find a diverse range of shops, a couple of hotels, and plenty of restaurants. American Essence chatted with a few store owners about the magic of downtown Homewood.
