A Closer Look At Meridian Street – A Growing Retail Area Near The Heart Of Downtown - Crunkleton: Commercial Real Estate Group Huntsville Al

A Closer Look At Meridian Street – A Growing Retail Area Near The Heart Of Downtown

Crunkleton Marketing July 21, 2020 Business, Huntsville Business Spotlight 0 Comment

Not far from the center of Downtown Huntsville, you’ll find Meridian Street and the Lincoln Mill district. As our city continues to grow, more businesses are finding a home on Meridian making it an increasingly appealing destination for shoppers and diners alike.

Today, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the eclectic shops that bookend the historic district and one that is on the way. From antiques to architectural goods and made-from-scratch pastries, this is one neighborhood that should be on your list.

Have you been to any of the businesses below? Let us know in the comments!

Holtz Leather Co.

Located at 1214 Meridian Street, the popular Holtz Leather Co. is a business with an incredible story and beautiful product line. This retail shop is steeped in rich history and offers visitors stunning handmade leather goods for a variety of uses.

Its product lines cover items for men, women, home and office, corporate gifts, and even guitar accessories. They also have a large selection of home accents, pens, pottery, hats, and candles. Each visit brings another discovery and there’s something for everyone on your gift list.

Owners Rick and Coleen Holtz have been friends since they were six years old, leading to a lifetime of love that shines through the brand. In every way, it’s a family-run venture. All leather is extremely high quality and Holtz takes great care of every detail. Many of the products are personalized, enhancing the charm and individuality of each piece.

As part of the Lincoln Commissary building, Holtz pays homage to the area’s past with its vintage feel and industrial vibe. Everything is clean, classic, and one-of-a-kind.

Visit https://www.holtzleather.com to see its inventory and head over to the retail shop for a uniquely Huntsville experience.

Preservation Company

Huntsville’s home for historic architecture and design can be found next to Holtz Leather at the Lincoln Commissary. Preservation Company opened in the fall of 2017 and is nothing short of a must-visit destination. Owners Jason and Christa Butler’s love for architecture, historic places, and design all ignited a dream for what the business is today.

Its walls are lined with unique antiques and knickknacks that add character to any space. They pride themselves in offering an “unusually uncommon” inventory that blends old and new design.

As a family-owned shop, Preservation Company greets every guest with a smile and puts a focus on customer service. And there’s plenty to choose from! From furniture, hardware, lighting, gifts, décor, and more, it is easy to spend a whole afternoon exploring the shop and searching for treasure.

Many pieces you will find are custom made in the shop and seamlessly fit anyone’s tastes. Read more about Preservation Company at https://preservationco.com.

L’Etoile Patisserie – French Bakery & Café (Coming October 2020)

In October, another star will enter the Meridian Street stage serving up authentic French desserts and coffee inside a Parisian-style patisserie. L’Etoile Patisserie French Bakery & Café is the creation of Kevin and Kristen Zurmuehlen who have combined their love of travel and excellent cuisine into a new concept for Huntsville. Using classic French formulas and ingredients in all of its offerings, they hope to transport guests to an imaginary afternoon of strolling the Champs-Élysées and enjoying a pastry under the Eiffel Tower.

“After 34 years of serving in the US Army, I was looking for a change,” said Kevin. “I had the opportunity to obtain my certification as a pastry chef at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Baking has always been an interest of mine. We looked around the Huntsville area and realized there weren’t many places offering the type of pastries we wanted to create. So we took steps to open our own shop.”

Etoile means “star” in French—a nod to the Rocket City’s history. When open, the patisserie will be located between Holtz Leather Co. and Preservation Company.

“The Lincoln Mill district was perfect for what we were trying to accomplish,” shared Kevin. “The owner of the building already wanted a café on-site, and when we compared our drawings and ideas for what that shop would look like, it was a 90-percent match. It was kismet at that point.”

Kevin went on to explain the differences in flavor when it comes to American and French pastries.

“Sugar is much more muted in French desserts,” he said. “European flavors are less sweet and bolder in its other flavors like citrus or chocolate that you use in the recipe. It provides a distinct, characterizing taste. And we are thrilled to serve something so unique to the City of Huntsville.”

In addition to quality flavors, the shop itself will be a treat. Visitors will be welcomed into a classic Parisian café with muted blue hues and gold accents throughout. There will also be plenty of stars hidden within the design.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” smiled Kevin. “We are already doing tons of online orders just using our home kitchen. Everyone has been very supportive and we can’t wait to open. We are looking at a grand opening on October 7.”

Visit https://www.letoilehsv.com to stay up to date on its opening. For more gorgeous pastry pictures, follow L’Etoile on Instagram @letoilehsv.

Brooks & Collier

Since 1946, Brooks & Collier has been serving the community by providing outdoor living needs as well as an unmatched home and garden shopping experience. What started as a feed and seed store now has its home on Meridian Street and is an oasis of beauty and luxury that’s bursting with fresh plants, high-quality outdoor furniture, and statement décor.

According to its website, Brooks & Collier transformed its original store into an outdoor nursery and gardening store in the 1970s, and in the 1980s casual furniture was introduced.

Throughout its life it has remained a family-owned business operated by native Huntsvillians, making it unique to the area. Its inventory has expanded to include grills, fire pits, outdoor heaters, rugs, lighting, hardscapes, and an array of home accessories. This makes Brooks & Collier a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to add character and beauty to their home with the finest indoor and outdoor furnishings.

As you can see, Meridian Street has some of the most impressive shops in our city. Next time you drive by one of these concepts, be sure to drop in and see them for yourself!

Make sure you’re staying on top of the latest trends, newest developments, and hottest new stores in Huntsville by subscribing to our weekly blog updates!