IZ Cafe to become neighborhood grocery

IZ Cafe closed its doors at the end of April, but owner Kay Reed wants to bring something new in its place.

Reed said the IZ Cafe location in English Village has struggled since it opened more than two years ago. Though the number of dining customers was low, Reed said their prepared to-go meals were popular.

“It’s a tough corner,” Reed said of their location at 2037 Cahaba Road.

On April 30, IZ Cafe closed, and its tables and chairs are being replaced by a dining counter, freezers, a deli case and a wine rack. The shop is planned to reopen May 12 as something new: IZ Neighborhood Grocery.

“We’re super excited about it. We feel like this is our opportunity,” Reed said.

Reed said IZ will be a quick stop for people looking for the basic groceries – breads, eggs, cheeses, meats, produce, flour, grits and beer and wine, for starters. Several of the suppliers for IZ are “local, farm-fresh” vendors, Reed said. Many items on the shelf will be familiar to IZ diners, including to-go meals, freezable casseroles and some of their more popular hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

“I think people like prepared foods. I think they love to grab and go,” Reed said.

IZ Neighborhood Grocery will continue providing hot dinners for pickup, as well as sides that they serve through IZ Catering and a salad or vegetable of the day. The shop will make fresh paninis when they open each day at 10 a.m. and sell growlers of beer. They’re also considering selling homemade ice cream in new flavors each month.

“If people want to have a panini and a draft beer at the counter, they can,” Reed said.

Reed said she plans to have frequent specials at the new store. She wants the grocery to be both comfortable and convenient for Mountain Brook residents, and if shoppers have suggestions for products they’d like to see, she plans to stock them.

“I think we’re going to have to see what people want and give it to them. What doesn’t sell comes off,” Reed said.