Five Points South businesses struggle after deadly mass shooting

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Five Points South business owners are working to regroup and process the events following Saturday’s deadly mass shooting. Some owners say they’ve seen fewer or sometimes almost no customers this week.

The owners of Slide Cafe and Bay Leaf say they are still shaken by this weekend’s shooting and they’re praying for the families.

Slide Cafe is directly above the Hush Lounge and steps away from where the shooting happened on Magnolia Avenue. They were closed Saturday night, but reopened for brunch on Sunday. Usually their restaurant has lines out the door, but that hasn’t been the case this week.

Bay Leaf’s General Manager Pintu Sarmah says it’s been the same for them. With several customers telling them they are afraid to return to the area.

“I get calls saying, ‘I’m sorry. I miss you guys, but I better do DoorDash. I cannot come,’” explains Sarmah. “Our business has really gone down after this incident.”

Mayor Randall Woodfin did meet with business owners Tuesday, and he says extra police officers will patrol all of the entertainment districts, including Five Points South.

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