Building on a Legacy: Butcher Drafting Service at 60 Years

Sixty years ago, Butcher Drafting Service began out of a house on Jack Coleman Drive in northwest Huntsville, where Joe and Betty Butcher raised their three children. Tom Austin purchased the business in 1998. At that time, it was a two-person operation. Joe had one small tabletop copier, hand-drew all of his plans, and used […]

Madison resident and former educator releases book, invests in North Alabama students through new literacy nonprofit

Dr. Yanique Rolingson is a Madison resident and an educator with nearly 20 years of experience. Originally from Jamaica, she began her teaching career in New Jersey and later worked as an educator and instructional coach in the Decatur and Madison County area. In August 2025, Rolingson left the school system to found her nonprofit […]

Madison Joins Multi-City Lawsuit Over Online Sales Tax Distribution

The Madison City Council has voted to join a multi-city lawsuit challenging Alabama’s distribution of online sales tax revenue under the Simplified Sellers Use Tax, or SSUT. The council also approved a resolution supporting the City of Tuscaloosa’s legal efforts to change how online sales tax dollars are distributed so that more revenue remains in […]

Michelin Recognition Makes Purveyor and Salt Smokehouse Standout Holiday Gift Options

For Huntsville residents still searching for meaningful last-minute Christmas gifts, two of the city’s most celebrated dining destinations are offering a compelling option. Purveyor and Salt Smokehouse were recently named to the inaugural Michelin Guide to the American South, giving gift givers a chance to wrap an experience rather than another item.   Both restaurants were […]

College Students Invited to ASmartPlace Holiday Career Fair on Dec. 16

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is partnering with local and regional colleges and universities to connect college students with career opportunities in the Rocket City. College students home on holiday break are invited to attend the Huntsville ASmartPlace College Career Fair on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Atrium at Redstone Federal […]

Stadium Commons Announces New Phase One Tenants

Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate has announced that five additional brands—Free People, Free People Movement, Ferren Boutique, VSL Nail Spa, and a forthcoming American restaurant from Power Brands Hospitality—will join Hattie B’s Hot Chicken at Stadium Commons as part of phase one of the development project. Located at 3312 S Memorial Parkway, the highly anticipated commercial […]

Small Business Spotlight: A conversation with Donny of Donny’s Diamond Gallery

When Donny and Fatemeh Nazarieh sat down for their first date on December 5, 1993, Donny shared two dreams: to visit his family in Iran, whom he hadn’t seen in 18 years, and to open his very own jewelry store. That conversation became the beginning of their love story and the foundation of a family […]

Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with Brett Pierce of The Masters Salon

Brett Pierce grew up in the world of hairstyling as the son of award-winning hair artists Gary and Ann Bray, who opened The Masters Salon in 1973 inside Huntsville’s old Dunnavant’s Mall. His mother, Ann, began styling hair as a teenager and went on to earn international acclaim, becoming the first American woman to win […]

Protecting Growth: A Beginner’s Guide to Small Business Insurance in Huntsville

As Huntsville’s small-business ecosystem accelerates, insurance is becoming a strategic necessity rather than an afterthought. From new retailers opening along South Parkway to agile tech consultancies in Cummings Research Park, the city’s entrepreneurial climate comes with new forms of risk—and securing the right insurance can be the difference between a temporary setback and a long-term […]

Thankful in the Rocket City: Six Huntsville Residents Share What They Are Most Grateful for in 2025

By: Katie Holt and Sarah Zupko As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on what we have to be thankful for as residents of Huntsville and North Alabama. Huntsville benefits from a growing music scene, natural beauty, consistent economic growth, and many philanthropic organizations that enrich the lives of everyone who calls this […]