UPDATE:  MSB is proud to announce that local grocer Freshfully is the winner of the Occupy Avondale contest!

Freshfully is a Birmingham-based grocer that opened in November 2011 as the winner of the Incubate!Bang contest. Founded by Jen Barnett and Sam Brasseale, the startup offers local food from Alabama farmers to the Birmingham metro area.

The grocery store will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting May 1. The Freshfully store is located at 200 41st St. S.

Freshfully co-founder Jen Barnett is available to discuss how access to local food helps Birminghamians while supporting local farmers. Contact Barnett at (205) 983-6456 or jen@freshfully.com.

Still interested in learning about opportunities in Avondale? Call Main Street Birmingham at 205.595.0562.

Avondale Brewing Company  is bringing new life to Avondale, and they hope other new businesses will join them. In 2012, Avondale Brewing Company (ABC) is giving away six months free rent in a fully renovated space on 41st Street in Avondale! Main Street Birmingham is partnering with ABC to accept applications from new and existing businesses during the months of January and February, 2012. A panel of judges, including Main Street Birmingham’s business coaches, representatives from the neighborhood and merchants associations and the City of Birmingham will screen the applicants and interview finalists. The winning business will be announced at an event at ABC in March, 2012.

Judges will give preference to businesses that incorporate food, the arts, retail or that drive foot traffic to the area in some way. Representatives of Avondale Brewing Company will not be voting judges but will be involved in the interview process in order to discuss lease terms, build out needs and other details.

Property Details:

• 200 South 41st Street
• 1800 Sq. Ft. or 2400 sq st
• Highly competitive leasing rates
• Perfect space for an office, retail, an art gallery, a restaurant, wood working shop or studio.
• New electrical, HVAC and two bathrooms. Ready to be finished out for offices, a gallery, a work shop, retail or studio.
• Abundant on street parking is available on 2nd Avenue and on 41st Street.
• The area is booming with new shops and businesses including Parkside Tavern and several galleries. An architectural firm with a high-end wood-working shop just moved in across the street and the new Avondale Brewery is directly across the street! Total renovation of Avondale Park is done! Lots of cool stuff going on in Avondale.

Contest Details:

• Applications will be accepted online, through Main Street Birmingham’s website (MainStreetBham.org) and the Avondale Brewing Company website (AvondaleBrewingCompany.com) from January 18-February 15.
• Applications will be screened by the judging panel in February.
• 5 Finalists will be invited for interviews in late February.
• Finalists will submit financial records and be pre-qualified for leasing.
• Finalists will be asked to sign a letter of agreement or memorandum of understanding that details the terms agreed to in the interview.
• The winner will be chosen by the panel and announced at a party at the brewery in mid to late March.
• To read the full contest rules, click here.