Lowe Mill small business brings Texas flavor to Rocket City

A slice of Texas has found its way to the Huntsville culinary scene at Kar’s Char Texas-Style BBQ at Lowe Mill. Thomas Langford and James Emery opened the restaurant one year ago, combining a passion for authentic Texas barbecue with delicious traditional Southern recipes. Thomas Langford’s journey to becoming a barbecue pitmaster started at a […]

Sit Down With Success: A conversation with Victor Burruss of Allied Digital Printing

Allied Photocopy, now known as Allied Digital Printing, was founded in 1970 by the late Jim Burruss. The business originally focused on selling and repairing copier machines. Jim’s son Victor Burruss recalls traveling across Alabama with his father, helping to sell machines and supplies. The turning point for Allied came when a friend of Jim’s […]

A taste of Miami in Huntsville: Discovering Havanabama’s Cuban hospitality

“Cuban coffee is very powerful, very sweet, and a little dangerous — just like the people who drink it.” — Gloria Estefan.  So reads a quotation on the menu of Havanabama, an oasis of joy and hospitality — tucked into an inconspicuous strip mall on South Parkway.  It’s a Friday in late August, and I […]

Cummings Research Park to launch DefenseTech Accelerator aimed at expanding HSV’s Defense Industry

Cummings Research Park (CRP) is set to launch a DefenseTech Accelerator this fall, aiming to strengthen Huntsville’s defense industry by fostering the growth of small businesses focused on innovative technology solutions. The initiative, a collaboration between CRP, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, and Treble One, will leverage the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program to keep vital […]

Billion-dollar investment firm expands into Huntsville, highlights opportunity for local startup investment

Keiretsu Forum, one of the largest global networks of angel investors, recently hosted information sessions at The University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Innovation to Invention Center. Founded in San Francisco in 2000, Keiretsu is planning to expand its operations into the Huntsville market, aiming to bridge the gap between founders and funders to support early-stage […]

Huntsville’s gBETA startup accelerator welcomes five new local companies

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Five Huntsville-based companies have been selected to participate in Huntsville’s gBETA startup accelerator program. A’SHI SKIN, CheckMySpot, Happi Pappi, Intrinsic Methods and iXpressGenes were selected to participate in the gBETA Huntsville program, powered by national venture capital firm gener8tor, which supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. The gBETA Huntsville program is a seven-week accelerator designed to help startups secure investment opportunities. Participants receive intensive coaching and […]

Your guide to shopping small businesses this Back-to-School Sales Tax Weekend

It’s that time of year again, when parents breathe a sigh of relief and kids bemoan the all-to-rapid passing of Summer break.  In case you missed it, school is starting back. Students in Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools, and Madison County Schools are expected back in class on August 1st.  Many parents are waiting […]

Small Biz Spotlight: Talking local business and good brews with Straight to Ale Brewery

The Huntsville craft beer scene wouldn’t be what it is today without Straight to Ale brewery and the group of friends who started it. As the second oldest craft brewery in Alabama, Straight to Ale’s origins are tied to Free the Hops, a grassroots lobbying organization that led the charge for changing Alabama’s beer laws. […]

How large investors are ruining the housing market

The housing market is the least affordable it’s been in decades and politicians are looking for someone to blame. The latest target is large investors. While some large investors are negatively impacting our local Huntsville market, the problems go way beyond this. Lack of housing supply from tightening lending standards from the great recession, deficit […]

Alabama Native Natalie Chanin’s journey from world traveler to sustainable fashion trailblazer

Renowned fashion designer Natalie Chanin says that as a child growing up in Florence, Alabama, she always planned to make it out of town and see the world.  Chanin’s girlhood dreams came true when she finished school and took to the road. She spent many years living between New York City and Europe, and picked […]