June 2023 | Volume 14 | Issue 3
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ON DUTY WITH DAD Fathers, children work together at Mountain Brook businesses
By JAMES PHILLIPS
Q
uality time with dad isn’t an issue for several families in the Mountain Brook area, thanks to fathers and children working together in the family business.
SMITH’S VARIETY
Smith’s Variety has been serving Mountain Brook for more than 70 years. The store is known for its wide range of items and has been owned by Brad and Amy Simpson since February 2020. Their 18-year-old daughter, Lolly, has been involved with the business since its purchase.
See DAD | page A22 Brad Simpson, owner of Smith’s Variety, and his 18-year-old daughter Lolly, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, stand at the front of the store in Crestline Village. Photo by Erin Nelson.
United Way of Central Alabama celebrates 100 years of service
Craft O’Neal, center, and his staff volunteer at the Central Alabama Community Food Bank in August 2022 as part of his company’s involvement with United Way of Central Alabama. Photo courtesy of O’Neal Industries.
By GRACE THORNTON For as long as Craft O’Neal has been a part of his family’s company — 39 years — he’s been involved with United Way of Central Alabama. But the family ties with UWCA go back much further than that. “Our company has had a close tie with United Way since the beginning,” said O’Neal, chairman and CEO of O’Neal Industries. His grandfather started the company in 1921, and two years later, UWCA got its start. As
INSIDE
Sponsors............... A4 City......................... A6
Business................ A8 Community.......... A13
Schoolhouse........A15 Sports.................... B4
the population of Birmingham was growing with new businesses like the O’Neal family’s, the social needs of the community were also growing. Drew Langloh, UWCA president and CEO, said that’s when a group of local business people got together around the table to see what they could do to help. “When you read the minutes from back then, you begin to understand that the organization
Events................... B10 Opinion................. B12
See UNITED WAY | page A20 Metro Roundup... B13 facebook.com/villageliving
Library Flooded
New Leadership
O’Neal Library closed indefinitely due to a pipe burst.
Andy Urban named new athletic director at Mountain Brook High School.
See page A13
See page B4