Birmingham Welcomes New Mediterranean-Inspired Restaurant
Birmingham, AL – A new culinary destination has opened its doors in the Magic City. Sands of Sahara, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and cocktail lounge, officially opened to the public on October 25. Located at 2024 Green Springs Highway S., the restaurant aims to bring the flavors of the Mediterranean and the beauty of the Sahara Desert to Birmingham.
According to a post on their social media, Sands of Sahara promises to transport visitors to “the shores of the Mediterranean and the sands of the Sahara” through its carefully curated menu. The restaurant features a variety of dishes, including a popular hummus trio, which presents three different types of hummus all made in-house. Other standout offerings include kebabs prepared with shrimp, beef, chicken, and honey-glazed salmon, as well as refreshing Greek salads and flavorful rosemary-infused potatoes.
In addition to food, Sands of Sahara also has an extensive drink menu. Cocktails such as the Melon Oasis, boasting watermelon and pineapple undertones, the energizing Macho Espresso Martini, and the exotic Habibi Kiss, which features Reposado tequila mixed with rose water, lime juice, and various tropical juices, have already started to gain attention from diners.
Local Business Landscape Shifting
The opening of Sands of Sahara comes at a time when the Green Springs area is seeing a mix of new beginnings and endings for local businesses. Just down the road, Big Lots, located at 142 Green Springs Highway, is one of several stores that will be closing its doors due to the retailer’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The Columbus, Ohio-based chain is set to close at least 550 locations nationwide, further altering the retail landscape.
Meanwhile, a local lifestyle boutique is preparing to expand. Eighteen South, a men’s clothing boutique featuring lifestyle and sports goods, is set to open its second location at The Edge, a mixed-use development focused on outdoor community spaces along Green Springs Highway. This new store will occupy around 1,200 square feet within the new 5,000-square-foot Phase 2 commercial building of The Edge, alongside fitness studio True40. The upcoming address for Eighteen South will be 819 Green Springs Highway, Suite 105.
However, not all changes are positive. Another business, Cheap Chick Trading Co., has recently closed down its second-hand clothing store located at 430 Green Springs Highway, Suite 20. The boutique, which was founded by Shannon Styes in 2021, offered a unique resale model where customers received cash or store credit for upscale clothing items. The closure of Cheap Chick highlights the ongoing challenges for local retailers.
Community Reactions
The community’s reaction to these developments has been mixed. Many residents are excited about the opening of Sands of Sahara and the opportunity to experience new flavors and dishes without leaving Birmingham. “We’ve needed a restaurant like this for a long time,” one local remarked while savoring a meal at the new venue. “It’s nice to have more diversity in our dining options.”
On the flip side, some community members expressed concerns about the number of store closures in the area. “It’s disheartening to see so many local businesses struggling, especially after the past few years,” said another resident. “I hope our community can support those that remain and encourage new businesses to thrive.”
As Birmingham continues to evolve, both the excitement of new openings and the sadness of closures remind us of the ever-changing landscape of our local business environment. With the introduction of Sands of Sahara, Birmingham may find a new favorite spot to gather with friends and family.
