Huntsville

Huntsville Members

Membership

A postcard image of the Huntsville skyline

Huntsville Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios Huntsville Partners

Axios Huntsville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Huntsville with Derek Lacey.

Axios Huntsville

Standard

Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Ikea US announced it will open the store, its first in Alabama, on Feb. 25 with a grand-opening celebration.

Business

It&#x27;s official: Huntsville&#x27;s Ikea store will be open within a week. Why it matters: Ikea has long been among the city&#x27;s most-desired retailers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcing last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="1ba8a082-7758-4d5e-92c8-3538a16c77ff" data-vars-headline="Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">announcing last summer</a> its plan to bring a new, smaller-format store to University Drive near GigaParts.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

News

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

Senate bill targets police staffing in Huntsville, Montgomery

Senate Bill 298 would require police departments in Alabama's Class 3 municipalities to have two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents by Oct. 1.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature aims to set minimum staffing levels for Huntsville and Montgomery police departments.Why it matters: If passed, the bill could lead to a state takeover of local law enforcement, though Huntsville leaders say the city already meets the bill&#x27;s requirements.

Sofia's targets Jan. 24 opening in South Huntsville

The restaurant is bringing authentic Mexican and Spanish-inspired flavors handed down from the Villarreal family's roots.

Business Brief

Sofia&#x27;s Roadside Cantina opens its doors Jan. 24. Why it matters: Sofia&#x27;s is bringing its flavor to the rapidly growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hays Farm area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/05/hays-farm-park-gives-south-huntsville-a-gathering-place" data-vars-content-id="0b7e6552-e4fd-4ae4-9013-73b6b68e88e9" data-vars-headline="Sofia&#x27;s targets Jan. 24 opening in South Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/05/hays-farm-park-gives-south-huntsville-a-gathering-place" target="_self">Hays Farm area</a> in South Huntsville, aiming to build an inclusive, community-focused restaurant.

Two Huntsville restaurants land on inaugural Michelin guide

Huntsville's dining scene takes a leap forward as two local restaurants join the inaugural Michelin Guide to the American South.

Food and Drink

Purveyor and Salt Smokehouse are restaurants you&#x27;ve got to visit in Huntsville, per the inaugural <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide to the American South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" data-vars-content-id="701a2e63-9ee6-4ae2-9dae-2945262278f7" data-vars-headline="Two Huntsville restaurants land on inaugural Michelin guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" target="_self">Michelin Guide to the American South</a> in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="earlier-than-expected announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/03/3179448/0/en/A-Taste-of-Excellence-MICHELIN-Guide-Announces-Inaugural-American-South-Selection.html#" data-vars-content-id="701a2e63-9ee6-4ae2-9dae-2945262278f7" data-vars-headline="Two Huntsville restaurants land on inaugural Michelin guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/03/3179448/0/en/A-Taste-of-Excellence-MICHELIN-Guide-Announces-Inaugural-American-South-Selection.html#" target="_blank">earlier-than-expected announcement</a> Monday. Why it matters: The Michelin Guide is the gold standard for culinary recognition, and Huntsville&#x27;s first appearance shows the city&#x27;s dining scene is maturing into a destination.

Jim 'N Nick's opens in prime Jones Valley location

Jim 'N Nicks President Bryan Lyman said the decision to open in the area was a "no-brainer."

Birmingham-based barbecue chain Jim &#x27;N Nick&#x27;s torched the ribbon on its latest Huntsville-area location Wednesday. Why it matters: The third Jim &#x27;N Nick&#x27;s in the metro area, and the chain&#x27;s 58th location, occupies a prime corner at Cecil Ashburn Drive and Carl T. Jones Drive in Jones Valley.

Huntsville Restaurant Week kicks off in August

Around 65 restaurants are participating so far, and officials say each has been asked to feature an exclusive dish or a seasonal ingredient.

Things to Do

The 13th annual Huntsville Restaurant Week starts next Friday, with a brand new app and new restaurants for the ambitious Rocket City eater. Why it matters: We&#x27;re hungry, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10-day event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsville.org/events/restaurant-week/?skip=0&amp;sort=rankTitle&amp;subcatids%5B0%5D=459&amp;keyword=one" data-vars-content-id="5acc06c9-a83c-480e-b2eb-d91bf546b7c0" data-vars-headline="Huntsville Restaurant Week kicks off in August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsville.org/events/restaurant-week/?skip=0&amp;sort=rankTitle&amp;subcatids%5B0%5D=459&amp;keyword=one" target="_blank">10-day event</a> on Aug. 8-17 offers exclusive menus and special deals at Huntsville&#x27;s top restaurants.

🍅 Summer staple: Make a tomato sandwich like you mean it

Tomato sandwiches and summer are practically synonymous in the South, and though August is around the corner, I&#x27;m not even close to tired of them. Why it matters: I eat a tomato sandwich for lunch almost every day, and I want to share my approach, refined over gallons of mayonnaise and pounds of tomatoes.

Food and Drink 🍽

Sofia's targets Jan. 24 opening in South Huntsville

Two Huntsville restaurants land on inaugural Michelin guide

Jim 'N Nick's opens in prime Jones Valley location

Huntsville Restaurant Week kicks off in August

🍅 Summer staple: Make a tomato sandwich like you mean it