BROUGHT TO YOU BY
February 2025 | Volume 15 | Issue 11
Serving the Birmingham area since 1958. SERVING MOUNTAIN BROOK, THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, TRUSSVILLE AND VESTAVIA HILLS
MOUNTAIN BROOK’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VILLAGELIVINGONLINE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
GUINSERVICE.COM
E T A L S K
N A BL W
ith recent action at Brookwood Village, it seems the vacant property may soon be revitalized. But what will it take for the once-thriving complex to bring back business? From a developer’s perspective, the property would most likely be revitalized as a multi-use facility. “If you look at what’s going on nationally with many malls facing similar challenges as
AL#12175
Carlee Petro is the new tennis coach at Mountain Brook High School, taking over her alma mater after the retirement of longtime championship coach Susan Farlow. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Perfect match
Vacant Brookwood Village redevelopment efforts spark hope for future of once-thriving retail space By SARAH OWENS
205-595-4846
Brookwood, they are focusing on true mixed-use projects,” said David Silverstein Sr. of the Five Stone Group. “I have not seen the plans specifically for Brookwood, but what I’ve heard is that they would like to have a mixed-use project that blends residential with office and some retail. And I think that’s probably the future for the mall — somewhat of a mixed-use project — simply because that’s happening in other cities as well.
INSIDE ► Brookwood Village through the years: see images of the shopping center dating back to 1974. 7
See BROOKWOOD | page 30
Carlee Petro returns to alma mater as tennis coach By SARAH OWENS Perfect timing might be an understatement when it comes to Carlee Petro’s coaching career, which has brought her full circle to coaching at both her college and high school alma maters. Petro was named the new tennis coach at Mountain Brook High School in July 2024, taking over for longtime coach Susan Farlow. Farlow led Mountain Brook’s teams to 18 state championships in 17 years, and she expressed excitement about Petro’s potential to bring a fresh perspective and technical expertise to help students enhance their skills.
See TENNIS | page 31
Photo illustration by Melanie Viering. Inset Colonial Brookwood Village 2011 floor plan courtesy of AL.com.
INSIDE
Sponsors............................. 4 City....................................... 6
Schoolhouse...................... 10 Business............................. 12
Medical Guide................... 14 Events................................ 20
Sports................................ 24 Community....................... 27 facebook.com/villageliving
A New Chapter
Medical Guide
Sam Gaston announces retirement plans.
Meet health and wellness professionals in the Mountain Brook area.
See page 8
See page 14
Turn that old jewelry into CASH.
Sell us your GOLD.
Cummings JEWELRY DESIGN
3166 Heights Village - Cahaba Heights 205-298-9144 • cummingsjewelrydesign.com
Record High Prices PAID!