Visit Gas Light Alley, A Charming Village Of Shops In Alabama
By Lisa Battles|Published January 17, 2024
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Lisa Battles
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Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Sip a mocha latte, assemble an uncommon flower arrangement, and find the perfect permanent jewelry at Gas Light Alley. And that’s just a few of the fun things you’ll find within this charming village of shops in Huntsville, Alabama. It’s a must-explore section of the city’s growing Stovehouse district, which began to blossom around 2018. What’s in the name? The district’s centerpiece development was the site of a stove factory from the late 1920s through 2000.
Today, it has about three dozen spots to eat, play, lounge, hear live music, meet, and do business in style.
The latest additions at Stovehouse are the shops of Gas Light Alley. While the shops are on-trend, very Now, and fun to browse, there's even more than meets the eye, individually and collectively. All of the shops are woman-owned, independent, small businesses. While that wasn't a lease requirement or anything, serendipity made it so.
And it gets better: Some are social enterprises benefiting local causes. For example, the cute corner coffee shop, Charlie Foster's, employs people with special needs. Meanwhile, Noella's Flowers benefits a nonprofit the owner founded with her husband, called Make It Matter: The Collective, which serves foster teens. The organization connects them with mentoring, housing assistance, and other services as they age out of the child welfare system and into independent living.
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At The Vessel, you can support local artists by shopping for one-of-a-kind pottery or develop and hone your talents through classes and workshops. There's also an option for experienced potters to purchase time and materials to use the studio space and equipment.
Fashion-forward folks will enjoy the colorful boutique, Belle Maison Collection, which specializes in clothing, home goods, and gift items.
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Specializing in permanent jewelry and other handcrafted pieces, Lauren Kenzie has an artfully presented array of accessories to complement (or make) any ensemble.
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These are simply a sampling of the small businesses that make up Gas Light Alley. It also includes a party planning shop, gift shop, a clothier, a pilates studio and boutique, a group fitness training studio, a home furnishings shop, and more.
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As for where and what to eat, just around the corner from Gas Light Alley are more than a half-dozen varied options from crepes to barbecue to ramen. Don't forget there's also a sweet spot for decadent milkshakes and other treats. While people love to eat outdoors in the courtyard when weather permits, there is an adjacent indoor dining space called The Booth.
If nothing strikes your fancy in the food court, keep in mind that a longtime local favorite for downhome country cooking, The Blue Plate Cafe, is just around the corner. Or you can save that one for the next day. As one of the hottest cities in the country and always with something happening, Huntsville merits a stay. We recommend at least a couple of days just to see a few of the highlights.
You can learn more about Gas Light Alley on the Stovehouse website and keep up with its latest news on the Stovehouse Facebook page.
What do you think about this charming village of shops in Huntsville, Alabama? We’d love to hear your thoughts and please share tips if you’re a regular.
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