By David Sher
I still remember the thrill of Brookwood Mall’s opening in the early 1970s.
My fondest memories include celebrating birthdays at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour with its famous drum roll and free ice cream, enjoying crepes at The Magic Pan, and sitting joyfully as the singing Santa performed during the holidays. Brookwood was where we lived, laughed, and created lasting memories. Continue reading Brookwood Mall vs. Riverchase Galleria—And the loser is…
By David Sher
Nick Saban likely never met Frank Stitt on a field or in a kitchen together, but they share something profound: both men fundamentally transformed their domains and elevated Birmingham and Alabama in the eyes of the nation. Continue reading Stitt and Saban fundamentally transformed Alabama
By David Sher
Sometimes you have to take a chance. Do the unexpected. Be different.
Birmingham has always been risk-averse. But there comes a time when we have to say enough is enough. Continue reading Downtown Birmingham Needs Free Parking Now
By David Sher
I got up this morning, grabbed my gym bag, and headed to my workout.
I ran into a friend in the gym I hadn’t seen in a while and asked him about his two adult daughters. Continue reading Inexcusable we lose our children to other cities
By David Sher.
Who says there’s no such thing as a ‘sure thing’?
I’m not a risk taker.
It’s just not my nature.
I never liked to gamble or take big chances.
Through the years I’ve missed lots of opportunities. Continue reading The surefire way to build your wealth in Birmingham
By David Sher
On August 12, IKEA announced its first Alabama store—in Huntsville, opening in early 2026.
That means one of the worlds most respected and disciplined retailers evaluated Birmingham and Huntsville and chose Huntsville—even though Birmingham’s metro population is roughly twice as large. Continue reading Birmingham punched in gut by IKEA, but exotic dancers are happy
By David Sher
Jefferson County has more jails per capita than any other county in the U.S.
Twenty jails. TWENTY.
That’s not a typo.
To put this in perspective, New York City with nearly 15 times our population operates just 14 jail facilities.. Continue reading A jail for every Jefferson County politician
By David Sher
I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
Not every idea presented by ComebackTown is viable or likely to happen.
ComebackTown’s goal is to make people aware of problems and opportunities with the intent to move our region forward. Continue reading Suburban fear of Birmingham is painful
By David Sher
Birmingham, we just can’t get a break!
Just when we’re on the verge to take a leap forward we lurch towards a big fall.
By David Sher
I recently had lunch with a friend who asked an interesting question, “Why doesn’t ComebackTown publish a column evaluating whether the University of Alabama should have a live mascot like many other colleges and universities.” Continue reading Time for U of A to have a live mascot?