Two new businesses coming to 18th Street

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The first signs have appeared for two new businesses for 18th Street South.

Jersey Mike's is opening a franchise in the former Four Seasons Gallery space at 2910 18th St. S. Katie Crago, Jersey Mike's special event coordinator, said the location is supposed to open in August. The grand opening will include a fundraiser for Homewood City Schools, Crago said, but further details are not currently available.

Jersey Mike's is a sub sandwich chain that was founded in 1956 in New Jersey. There are currently more than 1,500 locations across the U.S.

The second business is a landscaping supply company, Pine Straw Wholesale, opening at 2510 18th St. S. in early June.

New Homewood resident Brett MacDonald is opening the business with partner Hal Godwin. They already run a landscape supply company that delivers and installs for nurseries, homeowners and landscapers around the Birmingham area, but MacDonald said they decided to have a retail location as well.

The distinctively bright orange and green building would require significant remodeling to house most buildings, but MacDonald said it's a perfect fit for a landscape supply business. Pine Straw Wholesale will stock mulch, pine straw, hardscape materials and other landscaping supplies.

MacDonald said Pine Straw Wholesale will serve a need for Homewood and the surrounding area, as being a wholesale store allows them to sell at low prices. The partners will continue to deliver and install supplies while running the store.

Godwin said he has nearly 20 years of construction experience, and his landscaping expertise includes patios, retaining walls and outdoor living spaces. In November and December, MacDonald said they plan to sell Christmas trees at their location, again offering delivery and set-up.

"Whatever we offer to sell out there ... we also do installation and quotes for anyone," Godwin said.

Pine Straw Wholesale will be open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.