5th & 20th

1977 advertisement for The Strip

The Strip (sometimes Restaurant Row) was a grouping of restaurants and nightclubs at 421-433 20th Street South, on the northeast corner of 5th Avenue South.

The two-story, 22,580-square-foot building was constructed in 1920 and housed auto service and parts companies through the 1940s. It was renovated in 1959 and gradually evolved into an entertainment row, especially after the Parliament House hotel opened across the street.

Tenants during the Strip's heyday in the 1970s included Michael's, Rossi's, Pat James' Lounge, and Emil's Cantina. Nearby clubs included Joe Namath's Restaurant and the Coalyard.

Later establishments in the strip have included Connie Kanakis', Ona's Music Room, Foxxy's Jazz Club and Pizza Hut. The property is owned by Anne Lamkin and Ellen Skipper, daughters of Oscar Dahlene Jr.

In 2017 LAH Real Estate announced plans to demolish the building and construct a 5-story, 60-unit apartment complex with a ground floor restaurant and parking above. Those plans did not move forward. In November 2019 LAH president Maurice Humphries and RGS Properties president Dick Schmalz announced a joint project to restore and preserve the 1920 building with retail on the ground floor and apartments above.

Tenants

• 20th Street South:
  • 421: United Auto Supply Co. (1922), Bill's Auto Accessories (1924), Romeo's Grill (1941-1970), Classic 13 Tattoo (-2018)
    • 421½: Willard Hallmark (1949)
  • 423: National Tire (1922), Central Sign Co. (1941), Dixie Type & Supply Co. (1949), Clearview Louver Window Corp. (1953), Orthopedic Appliance Co. (1964), Pat James Lounge (1977), Ona's Music Room (1997-2010), Crescendo Bar & Lounge
    • 423½: Birmingham Letter Shop / National Realty Co. / Hugh Williams insurance agent (1949)
  • 425-427: Rees Auto Service (1922-1941)
    • 425: Liberty Equipment Co. garage equipment (1949), Dixon Supply Co. (1953), Michael's offices (1964-1970), Emil's Cantina (1977), Quality Shoe Repair (-2018)
      • 425½: former location of McCormick Realty office (1953-1964)
    • 427: Saye Furniture Co. used furniture (1949-1953), Rossi's (1977), Xindigo Blue
      • 427½: former location of Bridge Studio club (1953)
    • 429-431: Masters Motor Co. sporting goods (1949-1953)
      • 429: Gates Valve Bag Co. (1926)
  • 431: Welden-Jenkins Ice Cream Co. (1914), Frutticher Electric Co. (1922), Maxwell Brothers Furniture Co. (1941), Continental Sales manufacturers' agents (1949), Alan Sales Co. manufacturers' agents (1953), Halwood's Restaurant (1962-), Michael's Sirloin Room (1964-1977), Pizza Hut (-January 2018)
    • 431½: former location of Birmingham Department of Education, Veterans Division (1949)
  • 433: Foreign Exchange Experience (2012-2014), Syndicate Lounge (2015-2018)

References

• Poe, Kelly (August 9, 2017) "Restaurant, 60 apartments coming to Southside in $15 million mixed-use project." The Birmingham News
• Van der Bijl, Hanno (November 21, 2019) "Southside building to be redeveloped for residential, retail space." Birmingham Business Journal