Homewood is a lovely town, known for its safe, friendly neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, historic homes, marvelous parks, and many recreation and cultural amenities. The city, which is celebrating its centennial in 2026, also has a very walkable, shopper-friendly downtown and a reputation for nurturing small businesses. Those small businesses in Homewood include Brandino Brass, a respected, family-owned company that is known throughout the Southeast as a go-to destination for designers, contractors, architects and homeowners seeking top-quality decorative and architectural hardware. Founded in Birmingham in 1948, the company has operated its showroom in Homewood since 2009.
Those small businesses in Homewood include Brandino Brass, a respected, family-owned company that is known throughout the Southeast as a go-to destination for designers, contractors, architects and homeowners seeking top-quality decorative and architectural hardware. Founded in Birmingham in 1948, the company has operated its showroom in Homewood since 2009. It’s no surprise that the co-owners of Brandino Brass, which is located on Central Avenue, have a lot of nice things to say about the city.
It’s no surprise that the co-owners of Brandino Brass, which is located on Central Avenue, have a lot of nice things to say about the city. “I like Homewood,” says co-owner Jessie Isom. “The community itself is unique in many ways. It’s a tight-knit community that is somewhat diversified. I’ve met many people over the years that moved to Homewood after visiting or passing through and fell in love with the vibe here.”
“I like Homewood,” says co-owner Jessie Isom. “The community itself is unique in many ways. It’s a tight-knit community that is somewhat diversified. I’ve met many people over the years that moved to Homewood after visiting or passing through and fell in love with the vibe here.” Co-owner Renee Genereux has fond memories of her childhood in Homewood.
Co-owner Renee Genereux has fond memories of her childhood in Homewood. “My days in Homewood began in 1979 when my family moved here from Hartford, Connecticut,” she says. “Although we went to church at Our Lady of the Valley, my older brothers and I attended school at Our Lady of Sorrows. I have fond memories of going to Homewood Park as a child. Climbing the caterpillar was such a scare as a little one, but I had to keep up with my brothers! Who knew that I would return to Central Avenue as an adult?”
“My days in Homewood began in 1979 when my family moved here from Hartford, Connecticut,” she says. “Although we went to church at Our Lady of the Valley, my older brothers and I attended school at Our Lady of Sorrows. I have fond memories of going to Homewood Park as a child. Climbing the caterpillar was such a scare as a little one, but I had to keep up with my brothers! Who knew that I would return to Central Avenue as an adult?” The Brandino co-owners are also thrilled to see Homewood celebrate its 100th anniversary.
The Brandino co-owners are also thrilled to see Homewood celebrate its 100th anniversary. “I’m glad to be part of that history, and we are glad to be here,” Eric Brandino says. It’s been almost 17 years, and we hope we’re here for a lot longer.”
“I’m glad to be part of that history, and we are glad to be here,” Eric Brandino says. It’s been almost 17 years, and we hope we’re here for a lot longer.” “It’s another milestone for the city and a testament to the determination of the community to continue thriving,” Isom says. “Homewood thriving equates to success for the local businesses including Brandino Brass.”
“It’s another milestone for the city and a testament to the determination of the community to continue thriving,” Isom says. “Homewood thriving equates to success for the local businesses including Brandino Brass.” Genereux shares praise for Charles Rice, the local attorney who led the effort to combine Rosedale, Edgewood, Hollywood and Grove Park into one city in 1926 and is dubbed “The Father of Homewood.”
Genereux shares praise for Charles Rice, the local attorney who led the effort to combine Rosedale, Edgewood, Hollywood and Grove Park into one city in 1926 and is dubbed “The Father of Homewood.” Rice was “a pioneer,” Genereux says, adding that she “is proud of this milestone for all neighbors, companies and local governments to come together as one.”
Rice was “a pioneer,” Genereux says, adding that she “is proud of this milestone for all neighbors, companies and local governments to come together as one.” Eric Brandino is certainly proud of his family’s legacy and heritage at Brandino Brass.
Eric Brandino is certainly proud of his family’s legacy and heritage at Brandino Brass. “I am the third generation,” says Brandino, who opened the Homewood showroom with his father, Buster Brandino. Buster retired in 2022, and Eric was joined as co-owner by Isom and Genereux, both of whom had long ties to the business.
“I am the third generation,” says Brandino, who opened the Homewood showroom with his father, Buster Brandino. Buster retired in 2022, and Eric was joined as co-owner by Isom and Genereux, both of whom had long ties to the business. “We are a small company that is big on service, and we are really glad to be in Homewood, which is a good fit for us,” Brandino says. “We like being a part of the community in Homewood. We’ve gained good customers and employees because of that. The city has been very good to us.”
“We are a small company that is big on service, and we are really glad to be in Homewood, which is a good fit for us,” Brandino says. “We like being a part of the community in Homewood. We’ve gained good customers and employees because of that. The city has been very good to us.” “I like to think we’ve become a staple in the community, and we do our best to give back on an annual basis and support the community in different ways,” Isom says.
“I like to think we’ve become a staple in the community, and we do our best to give back on an annual basis and support the community in different ways,” Isom says. “I’m extremely proud to be a small part of Brandino Brass’s legacy,” Genereux says. “So many from Birmingham, Homewood and surrounding cities have trusted us to enter their homes for practical items as well as beautification of their homes. I love that residences in Homewood want to honor the age of their home but also bring in modern technology.”
“I’m extremely proud to be a small part of Brandino Brass’s legacy,” Genereux says. “So many from Birmingham, Homewood and surrounding cities have trusted us to enter their homes for practical items as well as beautification of their homes. I love that residences in Homewood want to honor the age of their home but also bring in modern technology.” Homewood has been a great place to run a business, all of the co-owners say.
Homewood has been a great place to run a business, all of the co-owners say. “I think the city works diligently to improve the environment around local businesses,” Isom says. “When issues arise, they listen to their community and respond accordingly. It’s centrally located making it easy for a lot of people to get to us without much hassle.”
“I think the city works diligently to improve the environment around local businesses,” Isom says. “When issues arise, they listen to their community and respond accordingly. It’s centrally located making it easy for a lot of people to get to us without much hassle.” “Homewood is a great place for a business,” Genereux says. “The Homewood community is an amazing mix of residential and commercial blending together to live and exist as one.”
“Homewood is a great place for a business,” Genereux says. “The Homewood community is an amazing mix of residential and commercial blending together to live and exist as one.” “I think the city focuses on smaller businesses, and that has been very nice,” Brandino says. “They have a great Chamber of Commerce, and the whole feel of Homewood has been good. It is a walking community. They walk by the store and come in because they are curious. We are not downtown but we are close. We are two blocks away. We are glad to be local for our customers who want to come into the showroom, and Homewood is a very accessible city.”
“I think the city focuses on smaller businesses, and that has been very nice,” Brandino says. “They have a great Chamber of Commerce, and the whole feel of Homewood has been good. It is a walking community. They walk by the store and come in because they are curious. We are not downtown but we are close. We are two blocks away. We are glad to be local for our customers who want to come into the showroom, and Homewood is a very accessible city.” It is a city that honors both its past and its future.” Genereux says. “Homewood doesn’t forget their roots yet looks forward to the future. Homewood offers so many amazing restaurants, shops yet keeps a small hometown feel. Cheers to 100 years!”
It is a city that honors both its past and its future.” Genereux says. “Homewood doesn’t forget their roots yet looks forward to the future. Homewood offers so many amazing restaurants, shops yet keeps a small hometown feel. Cheers to 100 years!”
