[Blazer85]

A little sad for Reed Books, but at least they're not going away for good. Also is good since it means Corporate Realty's big multimillion $ project is likely progressing along nicely. This is my first hearing about the project since the initial announcement probably 6 months ago.

Cafe, bookstore make way
Sunday, January 07, 2007
VICTORIA L. COMAN
News staff writer

Reed Books and Museum of Fond Memories will move by March 1 to a new location at 2021 Third Ave. North. But a popular eatery in the same 20th Street South building, Scott's Koneys, continues its search for a new home.

The two are making way for a proposed $100 million-plus development project along their block.

Jim Reed, a longtime rare book and Americana collector, and restaurant owner Scott Green, have leased space in the same building - Reed at 107 at and Green at 109 20th St. South - for more than 10 years. Green also manages the building.

Corporate Realty Development officials have plans for the block, which stretches between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard. The block also includes a Kinko's copy center, a Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board payment site, a parking garage and a surface parking lot. Corporate Realty officials have proposed a project which could cost as much as $125 million and include a hotel, shops, restaurants, offices and condominiums. The company is expected to lease the property from the city with an option to buy.

The move is the fourth for Reed's business, which started in his Southside home and later operated from two spaces in Wooster Lofts. He moved into space above Scott's Koneys in the late 1990s.

"It's the urban experience," Reed said. "You find a funky old building that you like and some developer wants to come in and flatten it."

Reed believes many have moved downtown partly because they are attracted to th eclectic small businesses like his. That flavor is being taken away by newer developments which often push smaller businesses out, he said.

"They'll wonder, 'Where did it all go?' Well, you're living on the property where (smaller businesses) were," Reed said. "That doesn't make it any nicer, but that's just the way it is."

Reed is moving his business "uptown" as he says, into the O'Neill Building next to the Lehr Middlebrooks and Vreeland PC law firm at 2021 Third Ave. North.

The space he is leaving behind has an estimated 5,000 squaree feet in a second floor attic-like space. There, customers climb a steep staircase with signs of encouragement saying "We know these stairs have you gasping for air. The good news is you're almost there."

"It's been great," he said.

In the new space customers will go into a storefront with about 3,500 square feet of space which already includes wooden shelves. It used to house a U.S. government bookstore. "The great thing is it's on the ground floor and handicapped accessible," Reed said.

His wife Liz Reed and employee Craig Legg will be happy because the move may force the paring down of his collection.

"They have high hopes that I'll throw some of the stuff out," he said. "They keep hoping."

Scott Green, who has run Scott's Koneys in the Midtown area for 30 years, is still looking for a new location. He is exploring two that are only blocks away.

"It's been a good fit," he said. The business went from offering hot dogs and some sides to an expanded menu in 1995 to include salads, deli and hot sandwiches and breakfast plates. His hours have remained the same, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through the years. The move may prompt him to expand hours.

Green said if he doesn't find a place in the area, he'll settle into a space in his hometown, Trussville.

With the move pending he said he will miss the people most of all.

"We've got the best customers," he said. "Most of ours are repeat customers. If we don't know them on their first visit, we know their faces and what they're going to eat. People come first."

Jessie Smith, a long-time customer, was surprised to hear about Green's move. He had been referring fellow office mates at Golden & Associates to Scott's Koneys for a good meal.

"I don't like it," Smith said. "It's part of history right here."

Reed is already moving his merchandise but Green said he's not sure when his deadline is to leave the building.

"If you come in here and see the windows missing, that means we're not here," he said.

E-MAIL: vcoman@bhamnews.com