Courtesy of Fuad Shunnarah
The Baskits
The Baskits on Green Springs Highway is being replaced by a shrimp and seafood restaurant.
The Baskits will close its Green Springs Highway location at the end of the month after 15 years in business.
Fuad Shunnarah, who co-owns the restaurant with his brother Paul, said they decided to shut down the business and rent the building to Shrimp Basket, a seafood restaurant franchise with locations along the Gulf Coast and in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Irondale.
Paul said he would miss the regular customers.
The Baskits opened in 2000 and moved to its current location, 801 Green Springs Highway, in 2009.
“It’s been a good run, 15 years,” Fuad said. “It’s been great serving the community.”
Fuad will be focusing on his other business, Homewood Carpet and Flooring, located in the neighboring shopping center.
Their father and uncles own the shopping center, called Regency Square, and have recently renovated the façade, parking lot and lighting “to try to make the area better.” With a new showroom in Homewood Carpet, Fuad hopes to operate that store “at full blast.”
Mayor Scott McBrayer said he was excited both for the new restaurant and the facelift to the shopping center, which he thinks has improved the appearance of Green Springs Highway. He has eaten at other Shrimp Basket locations before and said he plans to try out the new one when it opens.
“It ought to be a really good addition for the city of Homewood,” McBrayer said. “Good businesses attract other good businesses.”
Paul said they will close on Sept. 30 and the new owners will begin renovations, though the Shunnarahs will still own the building. He’s not sure when the Shrimp Basket will open for business. To learn more, visit shrimpbasket.com.
