1. Safe Ride Services
We have bike cabs, 348-RIDE and Sterling Limo Cab, but the DUI rate of students is still incredibly high. Recently, JoyRide came to the university, but we have 35,000+ students at the University of Alabama. 20 bike cabs, a couple of limo cabs and a few busses isn't cutting it anymore.
Students can't even walk home without being assaulted or mugged. Women barely feel comfortable walking around in the daytime, what are they supposed to do when they are intoxicated at night? Bring us Uber and Lyft! We are begging for it!
2. Drive-Thru Starbucks
There have been rumors of a drive-thru Starbucks coming to Tuscaloosa for years. Recently, they broke ground where it is "supposed" to be located. There are no signs indicating it is going to be a Starbucks, though. Just cross your fingers and hope they bring us a drive-thru so we don't have to wear a bra when we want our PSL.
3. Biergarten
Southern hot spots like Nashville, Jacksonville, Charleston and Atlanta are housing the increasingly-popular biergarten trend. Would Tuscaloosa be a mega-market for a biergarten? YES! First of all, our climate is great for it. Even in the winter, I would love to sit at a biergarten and drink under heaters. Maybe they could add some sausage house in there. I don't know, it is just a (really good) suggestion.
4. Less Chain, More Local
Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked about Chuy's and BurgerFi, but let's talk local. When your parents come to town, where are you most likely going to take them to dinner? Chucks, Five, Epiphany, or Kozy's are all great options. So, why are chains swarming in like there is no tomorrow? I hope Tuscaloosa entrepreneurs wake up and start creating more local gems!
5. A Bagel Shop
I'll be the first to admit, I love Panera. But sometimes, I want a real New York style bagel. I think we would all settle for an Einstein Bros. or a Bruggers. Just give us something! There are so many New Yorkers that come to school at Alabama. I can only pray that one of them is an entrepreneur who is craving a lox bagel.
6. A Blow Dry Bar
Betches love a good blow dry. Speaking from personal experience, a blow dry bar in your city can change a life. Imagine never having to do your own hair again
~*for an easy payment of $30*~
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! For just an extra $15, you'll never have to do your make up again either! How could it get better than that. I'M TALKING TO YOU DRY BAR.
7. Department Outlets
I'm speaking for all of the girls AND guys in Tuscaloosa. TJ Maxx just isn't cutting it. I know it may be far fetched to put anything with the name Nordstrom or Saks in Tuscaloosa, but all we're asking for is your hand-me-downs! We would gladly settle for a Nordstrom Rack or Saks Off Fifth! Just think of Tuscaloosa as your sweet, little sister who is almost fashionable, but you need to intervene. INTERVENE, DEPARTMENT STORES, INTERVENE!
8. Higher End Athletic Wear
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the opening of Dick's Sporting Goods or Nike Factory Outlet. BUT, I would love to have a LuLu Lemon or an Athleta somewhere within the Tuscaloosa city limits. Srat girls gotta get their LuLu on!
9. Hipster Toast
Let's be honest. If Tuscaloosa jumped on the "hipster toast" train now, they'd be late to the game. I personally believe there are plenty of hipsters (or poser hipsters) in Tuscaloosa to keep a toast joint afloat. But what is hipster toast?
"Toast that hipsters put random crap on to make it instagram-able such as avocado, goat cheese, and truffle oil."
10. "The Library"
Other college towns have "The Library". This is a bar that is called "The Library" so when the charge comes up on your credit card, your parents think you are actually at the library. This could be the most genius thing anyone could open in a college town.
"Mom, I'm at the library. I can't talk. But is it cool if I spend '$40' on 'supplies' while I am here?"
11. University Art Walk
The University of Alabama has some of the most talented people entering the professional world. We should have a program to show them off. The university has a fantastic farmers market every Thursday, Homegrown Alabama. But we need something more. We also have a great "First Friday" event, but it isn't related to the university. The university needs to have a monthly "Art Walk" to show case some of the talent we have here on campus.
