Photo by Ana Good.
Smith's Variety
Christmas decorations line the shelves at the new Smith’s Variety location in Crestline.
Smith’s Variety employees were busily unpacking boxes and stocking shelves to add the final touches to the store’s new Crestline Village location ahead of the Monday, Nov. 9 soft-opening.
“We are excited to move into our new home,” said owner Tammie Glazner prior to the opening.
Though slightly smaller than its former space in Mountain Brook Village, the store appears larger, said Glazner, in part, because of its 12-foot ceilings.
At its new location, part of the space previously occupied by CVS/Pharmacy at 49 Church St., Smith’s will be neighbors with the Piggly Wiggly expected to open in early 2016. The rest of the former CVS space, the future home of Miss Dots, is currently under construction.
Glazner said the move has been relatively easy, despite the large amounts of merchandise that made the move.
“Pretty much everything that was at the previous location made it over here,” she said, “including the old-school candy case.”
Some items, those that did not sell well or that will simply not be offered at the new store, will be sold at discounted prices at the old store. Glazner said the Mountain Brook Village store will remain open for a short time.
A family-owned store, Smith’s has been serving the community for more than 65 years, 52 of which have been in Mountain Brook Village.
In a press release, Smith’s attributed the decision to move to the upcoming changes in Mountain Brook Village and the development of Lane Parke.
The move, said Glazner, hasn’t slowed business.
“We’ve already had people come and try to walk into the store,” she said before the opening. “We are excited the public is excited.”
The store’s grand opening was Thursday, Nov. 12, said Glazner. On Thursday, Nov. 19, Smith’s joined the Crestline Village Holiday Open House.
