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Hewitt’s Katherine Grigsby
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www.TrussvilleTribune.com
First reading held for designation of boundaries for Trussville Entertainment District
The iconic Velma’s is making its return to Trussville
By Hannah Curran Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council held the first reading on the ordinance to designate the Trussville Entertainment District (TED) on Thursday, Nov. 17. See TED, Page 4
Pinson Council announces Christmas Parade Grand Marshal, approves donation to Wreaths Across America By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
PINSON – Pinson City Councilor Clinteshia Irvin announced during Thursday’s council meeting that See PINSON, Page 6
Leeds Arts Council announces dates for Christmas Extravaganza Variety Show By Hannah Curran Editor
LEEDS — The Leeds Arts Council announced its Inaugural Christmas Extravaganza Variety Show planned for Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., See CHRISTMAS, Page 6
Trussville council approves Axe Downtown alcohol license, recognizes police promotions By Hannah Curran Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council approved Axe Downtown’s alcohol license and also recognized two police department promotions during the See TRUSSVILLE, Page 7
Inside the Tribune
News - Pages 1-8 Finance - Pages 9-10 Calendar - Page 11 Classified - Page 11 Obituary - Page 12 Sports - Pages 13-16
TRUSSVILLE — The beloved home away from home is returning to the Trussville area. Velma’s first opened in 1938 and was enjoyed by many until it closed in 2012, but now 10 years later, Velma’s will be re-opening in the former Sky Bear Confections building (1911 Gadsden Highway). “It‘s passed through many different hands over the years it was in business,” Co-owner Tammy Butler said. “For a long time, it was the only bar in Trussville, the only one that served alcohol, and it’s just been someplace that people grew up with it and recognize it.” Tammy and her husband/ co-owner, Royce, wanted to bring back a part of the community’s history. She said that Velma’s was a place people loved, and people missed it when it closed. Tammy and Royce have been married for 11 years and have four children between them. Royce has lived in or around Trussville all his life
Original Velma's Place (Photo courtesy of Tammy Butler)
and has seen it grow from two-lane roads and pastures into the thriving city it is today. Tammy moved to Birmingham from Mississippi in 1991 and has lived in the Trussville area since 1998. Both of her kids grew up here and graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School. “We both are very familiar with Velma’s and know how so many people were saddened to see it close, and probably thought, like everyone else, that it was gone forever like so many other iconic businesses,” Tammy stated in
a Facebook post. Royce explained that when they saw the building was for lease again, they looked at each other and said without hesitation, “We have to try to re-open Velma’s.” “We immediately started the process of negotiating with the owner of the building and started moving forward with all the paperwork that’s required for this kind of business as quickly as possible,” Royce said. “It was somewhat spontaneous that it happened, but we just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” The Bulter’s plan is to
TRUSSVILLE —Eighteen South has opened its doors to provide a premium modern style for Trussville men next to Serendipity in Homestead Village. Lacy and Patrick Isbell started Eighteen South to provide quality, stylish clothing to the Trussville City Schools supporters. Still, after seeing the need for a men’s clothing store in Trussville, they decided to expand the clothing collection. “We have a look for just about everything; we’ve got casual looks, we’ve got athleisure, golf, we do some dress clothes,” Isbell said. “We’re your everyday kind of guy’s store, I guess you’d say. Everything we sell is premium quality, premium name brands. We do have some private labels as well, and we also do our Husky Spirit collection.” Patrick is a lifelong Trussvillian, and he and his wife decided to settle down in Trussville because they loved the town and atmosphere. While Eighteen South has been a passion project
Eighteen South (Photo by Hannah Curran)
for more than three years in the making, the Isbells only truly opened three months ago, when they started selling the Men’s Husky Spirit Collection at Hewitt’s football games. Another Trussvillian, Stewart Knox with Center Cut Creative, helped design the Eighteen South’s Husky Spirit Collection, and Patrick said that Knox has been a huge part of the process and he’s beyond thankful for him. “We have two kids in the Trussville City Schools,” Lacy said. “So that’s been fun to help have the athletic line
with Husky Spirit and help drive that both of our kids are in the sports and involved in sports with the Huskies.” The Husky Spirit collection was the beginning of Eighteen South for the Isbells. Proceeds from any purchase of the Husky Spirit collection go directly to the school’s athletic department. “We had all of our stuff in a spare bedroom in our house, all of our clothes,” Patrick said. “So we just lined the walls with some racks and put it all up and then started selling it online.”
keep it as true to the iconic Velma’s as possible. “Times have changed, and it’s been closed now for 10 years,” Tammy said. “We want to offer some updates, and we’re going to try to make our menu simple.” The menu will resemble the old Velma’s menu, with a few cocktails thrown in there, and with the larger space, Velma’s can entertain a larger crowd of individuals. “Back in the day, it would be so crowded, it was standing room only a lot of times, and you were elbow to elbow,” Tammy said. “At least now, with that space on the side, it gives you a lot more room to spread out; we can offer a larger karaoke stage because that is what we’re doing is a karaoke bar and restaurant.” Tammy said there’s been a lot of discussion over the old Velma’s sign and building, but she said it’s not about the sign or the building; it’s about the people who love Velma’s. The Butler’s said this journey is also for the community members that have See VELMA’S, Page 3
The Isbells felt like the community needed a physical storefront for people to come in and get a feel for the product, and that’s when everything began to fall into place. “I think the spirit collection is what took off and drove all the; I guess you’d say, ‘hype’ and the initial push for us,” Patrick said. “Then we expanded more to do this, so here we are.” Patrick said Eighteen South is essentially part of Serendipity as they are sharing a space with Seredipidity in Homestead Village. “Samantha and her team over there have been awesome to us and gave us an opportunity here to kind of help kind of partner with them and do something for guys,” Patrick said. “We wanted to try it, so we decided to go for it. We’re so excited about it.” Patrick and Lacy both have full-time jobs outside of Eighteen South, but with the help of Seredipidity, the community, and their children, they have been able to make this dream a reality. See EIGHTEEN SOUTH, Page 6
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Blvd 205.655.3388 -
Fabric Machines Classes Demos
Leeds loses to Ramsey
Page 13
2022
Eighteen South providing premium modern style for Trussville men By Hannah Curran Editor
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November 23 - 29
By Hannah Curran Editor
SUN MON
Commissioner Joe Knight contributes $20,000 toward new City of Irondale sign By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
IRONDALE – Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight attended the Irondale City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, and presented the council with a check See IRONDALE, Page 4
Trussville City Schools earns an ‘A’ on the State Report Card From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools announced that the school system earned a district grade of “A” on the State Report card with a score of 95 ranking. Trussville City Schools ranks No. 3 in the state. The system grades are the first letSee TCS, Page 7
City of Argo accepting applications for part-time city clerk position From The Tribune Staff reports
ARGO – The City of Argo is currently taking applications for a part-time city clerk position. Applications can be found at www.cityofargo.org and turned in to City Hall, located at 100 Blackjack Rd, See ARGO, Page 3
Revisions of Longmeadow PUD approved during Trussville council By Hannah Curran Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council approved the revisions to the Longmeadow Planned Urban Development (PUD) during the meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17. See LONGMEADOW, Page 8
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