Homewood Toy and Hobby, 2830 18th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35209…read moreWe have been going to Homewood Toy and Hobby for years, and it continues to be one of those special local stores that is a pleasure to visit. One thing we noticed right away is how convenient and accessible the store is. There is plenty of parking, and they have both a front and back entrance, along with a handicap ramp. That may sound like a small detail to some people, but for someone using a wheelchair or needing easier access, it makes a big difference. The aisles are also wide enough for a wheelchair, which is not always the case in small specialty stores. The service is prompt, friendly, and genuinely kind. The employees are wonderfully nice and helpful without making you feel rushed. My brother enjoyed looking around, taking his time, and selecting what he wanted to buy. That kind of patient, friendly atmosphere means a lot. The store has an amazing assortment of hobby items. They carry model railroading supplies, model airplanes, model cars, military miniatures, radio-controlled vehicles, helicopters, cars, and many other hobby and collectible items. It is the kind of store where you can go in for one thing and still enjoy walking around just to see everything they have. Homewood Toy and Hobby also has the feel of a place that has earned loyal repeat customers over the years. That says something good about both the store and the people who run it. We are thankful for a local hobby store like this and appreciate the kindness, accessibility, and great selection they offer. God bless! Mark and Tim Elders

Great selection of all the newest toys. Wonderful employees very helpful. I can always find special…read moregifts for babies to Highschool kids

There was very nice employees and the wrapping was excellent. They had some nice stuff but mostly…read morejust signs and some toys. There was pretty good prices.

It's always a trip down memory lane shopping at this long time Mountain Brook staple. Once in…read moreMountain Brook Village, its newer home is in Crestline Village. They still sell anything you could possibly want or need: giftware, hostess and entertaining items, collegiant gear, limited baby clothes, sorority gear, the same old school candy that I bought here as a child, and so much more! I will return to this beloved little store that so beautifully has served this community for many many years!

I was looking for a birthday present for my niece and stumbled upon this store which is located…read morebehind the Summit. It's very well put together with lots of unique gifts to choose from for a store of it's size. The staff was friendly, and I was even able to have my gifts wrapped for free (although, I'm not sure if this service is always provided or was just because the holidays are approaching). Overall, I had a wonderful experience and would certainly recommend the store. p.s. There is also a Starbucks right next door. I know this shouldn't be an incentive for shopping at a store... but the promise of a latte always helps entice me.

Service here is horrible, and they have advertisements for toys on their windows they don't sell…read more For example they have had an advertisement for the toy "Jellycat" for months now, however they do not sell it and are extremely dismissive when you ask if they have it.

I like "hard" numbers(as I call them). They make everything fit into nice neat spots. Its…read morebasically anything devisable by 5. 250 is a great "hard" number. So for my 250th review I have been waiting to review something truly great. A business that stands out and actually makes me find excuses to go. I have found that place. Jim Reed Books is such an amazing place. It is exactly what I always wanted in a book store. It is easy to say books, books are what I want in a book store, but that isn't enough. I want more. I want a feeling. I want to feel my IQ increasing with every step. This place is so much more. The owner is there everyday. He is a writer, historian, curator, and a guide. Not only does the store have books(which we will get to) but it has old odds and ends. He calls it "The Museum of Fond Memories". Perfect Name. I can't tell you how many times my wife and I would point out something or pick up something else and said "Oh my gosh, I remember these!" The signs, the toys, the posters. Everything brought back memories. Even my 13 year old son enjoyed the little time travel. The Books! This place has 300,000 items in it. Most of that is books. What an amazing collection. Things can be hard to find but just ask Jim. Some how he knows where everything is. Books are broken up into genres and that's about it. Authors may be grouped together or not. Finding things is half the fun really. Some books are new. Some are old and I mean OLD. Found a little tomb from 1863 just sitting on a shelf. In a glass case I saw a huge Lord of the Rings wrapped in leather. Was it old? No idea, I got so amazed I forgot to ask! Guess I HAVE to go back. Jim is also one of the few people in town you can trust to track down 1st editions or even the highly coveted 1st print of a 1st edition books. I am an IT guy professionally. I appreciate all manners of tech including e-readers. They have there place and purpose but nothing beats having a real book in your hand. My Kindle or Nook app on my large screen phone is convenient but a hard cover of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five in my hand feels...right. This is a real book store with real books. and I love it. This may be the best thing I have discovered in downtown Birmingham! This is truly a treasure and I hope you will stop by and check it out.

5+ if I could, I only wish I lived closer to Jim Reed Books, they have a fantastic collection of…read morebooks, and I have been able to find some authors that are difficult to find in the U.S. even on Amazon. Mr. Reed is a fantastic resource for books and movies, he recommended a movie from an author I was looking for, I watched the whole movie straight through, the next time I was in he had a couple novels by that author. Highly recommended...

(REPOST BECAUSE WAS LOGGED INTO WEONG ACCOUNT) Went to Legion during high school and practically…read morelived there every day after school and into the evenings from 2000-2004. Stopped back in today and was really delighted to reminisce with Paul the owner and he was producing about his long-running status as the longest running shop in Birmingham (opened on '92). Great customer service and was even able to find a couple rare comics I have not been able to find at other shops and even got them at face value!

Wrong address to start!! Not that finding the correct address is much help considering they seem to…read morealways be closed!! Sign on door states, "Re-open 4:00pm" but it's 20 after four and no one is here!! Yes, supporting local businesses is important, but when they choose to sabotage their o, it's only them to blame for their failure!!

I think this is my favorite store in Birmingham. I never fail to find several things I want, both…read morefor myself and for gifts. Though they do carry some expensive things, I'm always amazed when I pick up something, expecting it to be pricey (because it's so lovely), and see that it's just $10 or $15. There's truly something for everyone on your list at any amount you want to spend. The store is big and beautiful with very creative displays. I always enjoy shopping there even if I'm not looking for a gift. It's definitely worth the trip even if you're not visiting the gardens.

I enjoy coming to this plant store to window shop muse on the possibilities and find just what I…read morewant. I like the ferns, Japanese maples and fruit trees. Ferns are great plants they take minimal care and maintenance and have so many variaties. So too with the Japanese maples. I guess I like low maintenance plants. I saw for the first time lemon, lime, and orange trees. Impulse almost got the better of me. But I have made a decision to return and pick up some blueberry bushes.

I received their catalog before they opened in the 'Ham and was excited when they opened a shop at…read morethe Summit. For wrapping paper, The Paper Source can't be topped. The paper is 100 times more sophisticated than what you will find elsewhere. They also have a display of "fine" papers. I'm not sure what people do with them, but they are beautiful. The customer service is great. They will help you pair paper with ribbon and bows. They also wrap gifts at $4 a pop , but for someone that is not great at wrapping, it is a luxury that is totally worth it. There is a selection of greeting cards and they are all beautiful, quirky, unique and/or clever. It's better than the cheesy Hallmark type card selection, but you pay a premium for that. This is also a great place to get a last minute gift and get it wrapped at the same time. I purchased a makeup pouch, scarf and candle for a friend's gift and had it wrapped all in one stop. Also available here: stamps, embossing supplies, calendars, stationary that can be personalized, and more. Be careful while shopping. You can rack up the bucks picking out beautiful items.

The staff is smart, friendly and wonderful. Selection is terrific. They also have Jelly Catsread more