The first month of January saw a flurry of business activity in the Birmingham metro area, with 17 businesses announcing openings and moves, as well as one closing. But even that shuttered restaurant is planning to reopen later this year.

Here’s a roundup of those developments, which starts off with an update on an expected large mixed-use development in Shelby County.

Work is continuing on Alabaster’s new District 31 development, a sprawling $242 million multi-use project that could see its first tenants open by Black Friday.

Construction began last summer on The Shoppes at District 31, an 80-acre project which will bring roughly 600,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant, and hotel space to Alabaster, as well as hundreds of jobs.

Hobby Lobby and Shoe Station have signed lease agreements for the project, as well as Cava, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Aspen Dental. More announcements are expected in coming weeks.

Lakeview Marina’s first tenants are expected to open by the end of February in the former automobile district of Birmingham’s Lakeview.

A renovated 20,000-square-foot former warehouse and showroom at 514 32nd St. S. will be home to Seasick Records, Birmingham Classic Cuts Barbershop and Cook Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

About 13,000 square feet is available for lease, which can be divided between two to five tenants.

Cajun Steamer’s Cahaba Heights restaurant, located at 3151 Green Valley Rd. in the Market Square Shopping Center, has closed.

A sign at the former location reads that it was a “bittersweet decision.”

“This isn’t goodbye – it’s ‘see you soon’ as we plan to bring the flavor, fun and hospitality you love to a new and improved location in the Birmingham area,” the sign states.

Birmingham’s The Summit is adding four new stores while two stores are expanding their floor space.

Abercrombie & Fitch, Alo, and Boll & Branch will be opening their first Alabama locations, while Ann Taylor will be relocating for an updated shopping experience.

In addition, lululemon and Kendra Scott will be adding space for merchandise.

Joy East Buffet will occupy the 6,397-square-foot building formerly occupied by Red Robin, across from At Home at Trussville’s The Pinnacle.

There is no announcement yet on when the restaurant will open.

Joy East Buffet is a Chinese buffet restaurant offering Asian-inspired dishes, including sushi, hibachi, General Tso’s chicken, egg rolls, dumplings, soups and more.

The Painted Lady boutique hotel is located at 2143 Second Ave. S. near the UAB Hospital in the former Eyer-Raden building.

Owned by Oxford-based Addicus Advisors and operated by Lark Hotels, the lodging house features 22 rooms and suites and restored interiors. It’s being marketed as a perfect destination for traveling professionals or couples looking for a getaway.

The hotel’s name comes from Louise C. Wooster, a woman also known as Louise Curtis or Lou, who had a colorful history as the Birmingham madam who gained fame working as a nurse in Birmingham’s cholera wards in the 1870s.

A rapidly expanding national fitness brand is planning at least six health clubs for the Birmingham area, with the first one to open later this year in McCalla.

Onelife Fitness says the $10 million Onelife Fitness McCalla at Tannehill Promenade is scheduled to open in December and hire more than 100 people. It will be Onelife’s first club in Alabama.

A representative of Raising Cane’s gave few details but confirmed that the Magic City is in the company’s sights.

“Raising Cane’s is excited to continue our expansion in Alabama and we are actively exploring opportunities to bring our signature ‘ONE LOVE’ to Birmingham in the near future,” the spokesperson said.

Raising Cane’s opened 118 restaurants in 2024 and has more than 800 around the country. There are locations in Tuscaloosa and Mobile.

Cattywampus, located at 100 N. Main St. in Columbiana, is offering drinks and a limited menu of prepackaged snacks in a 1,100-square-foot space in the downtown Columbiana LIVE Arts and Entertainment District.

The bar plans a low-key 3 p.m. Tuesday opening. Steven and Rebecca Clark are the owners, while the bar will be managed by John Bernard.

The establishment is aiming for a “chill vibe,” with seating on couches and LED lights providing a muted ambiance against the exposed brick walls. Tasteful but funny artwork highlights a quiet, comforting atmosphere.

Wooden City Birmingham, at 2335 Morris Avenue, is expected to open within the next few weeks, according to co-owner Abe Fox.

Along with business partners Eddie Gulberg and Jon Green, Fox said they see this restaurant as fitting right into Birmingham’s vibrant food scene.

In addition to cocktails and wine, the Wooden City menu features appetizers, wood fire pizza, sandwiches and sides, as well as house favorites like the Spicy Lamb Rigatoni, Country Style Pork Chops, Beet Ravioli, Chicken Schnitzel, Braised Brisket and the Wooden City Surf and Turf.

Wendy’s opened its newest location in Calera last month.

The restaurant, located at 121 Supercenter Drive, is owned by Clarence Bailey of Bailey Restaurant Group.

The owner of a new Mexican restaurant planned for Birmingham has a specific vision that incorporates nostalgia and no-nonsense dishes.

The El Royale Cafe is scheduled to open this spring at 2910 6th Ave. S., the spot formerly occupied by Carrigan’s Beer Garden.

Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant has announced its reopening date following an anticipated move.

The popular Birmingham restaurant, a long-time fixture on Second Avenue North, will began operating at its new location on 2024 Fourth Ave. N. on Monday, Jan. 6.

And though it was announced last year, Southeastern Salvage is preparing for its move to the former Golden Flake factory in the spring.

has purchased the former Golden Flake potato chip factory in Birmingham and plans to move there in the spring leaving behind its storefront in Irondale.

The former Golden Flake factory promises a much bigger showroom for Southeastern Salvage’s cornucopia of imported pottery, garden decor, rugs, furniture and assortment of home improvement items. The former Golden Flake factory is in an industrial area in Titusville just west of Interstate 65 downtown.