Yo’ Mama’s to relocate and expand pending city approval to redevelop vacant city-owned retail space

Storefront at Yo’ Mama’s on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant, one of Birmingham’s most popular downtown restaurants, will move to a much larger space on the first floor of a 4th Avenue city-owned parking deck, pending city council approval of an agreement to redevelop the long vacant site.   

“Essentially what we’re going to be doing is building out the basement of the parking deck that the city owns on Fourth Avenue.”

Without a Tenant for Nearly Two Decades

According to Williams, when Parking Deck #3 at 401 North 20th Street was remodeled in 2004, the city left room for retail space at the ground level. Unfortunately, the city never found a tenant. As a result, the space has never been built out, remaining vacant for nearly two decades.

Under the proposed redevelopment agreement, the city will use $1.3 million of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) monies to prepare the space. Yo’ Mama’s will also contribute an additional $400,000 to transform the 5,500+ square foot site into a restaurant

In addition to its own investment, Yo’ Mama will enter into a long term lease.

A Win-Win

Proposed new location on 4th Avenue. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

“Anytime we can support a local business with a project that the city invested tax dollars in several years ago, in this case two decades ago —and then turn an empty space into something that is on the tax rolls — I think it’s a win-win for both the public, the downtown corridor and the city of Birmingham,” said Williams. 

The entire city council is expected to decide on the proposal in the coming weeks.

If you want to learn more about Yo’ Mama’s,  check out Bham Now stories about its nationally recognized waffles and its irresistible fried chicken.  The popular eatery has also been featured on a Netflix food series called Fresh Fried and Crispy.

Are you a fan of Yo’ Mama’s? Tell us your favorite menu item on social media by tagging us at @bhamnow

Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.