CB2, Serena and Lily coming to Birmingham

By Lisa Brody

CB2, a modern furniture and contemporary home décor store, has signed a lease for the former Panera location in downtown Birmingham, and Serena & Lily, a casual comfort home furnishings store, will be moving into the former Linda Dresner store on West Maple in the city.

CB2 is a sister brand to Crate & Barrel, considered “Cool and edgy, CB2 is a modern furniture store for lofts, apartments and houses of all sizes,” their website says. “From velvet sofas to chrome coffee tables, CB2 has a wide selection of fresh, fun furniture for playful personalities. With the brand’s signature urban twist, pieces are often designed with city living in mind, often small in scale and multifunctional. With the affordability of CB2 furniture, you can even decorate a first apartment in style.”

In addition to modern furniture, CB2 carries a range of quirky kitchenware and creative home decor. CB2 offer an eclectic selection of lighting, art and accessories which can add a little eccentric flair to cabinets, tabletops, ceilings and walls. Unique finds can include black flatware, animal-shaped accessories and iridescent serveware.

Crate and Barrel opened its first CB2 store in Chicago in 2000 – the new downtown Birmingham store, located at the corner of Old Woodward and Maple will be its 16th store. From New York's SoHo to Los Angeles' West Hollywood, Crate and Barrel says CB2 always positions itself in the heart of urban areas known for their artistic flair and modern style.

CB2, once the space is renovated, will include both the Bakehouse52 space, which is moving to the former Adventures in Toys location on W. Maple, as well as the former Tiger Shoe Repair location on E. Maple Road. The first floor of the former Panera location is about 7,855 square feet.

Serena & Lily will offer downtown Birmingham a more mellow, laid-back California vibe when it opens at 299 W. Maple Road at the corner of Bates. Their look is is casual and coastal, relaxed yet refined.

The website for Serenaa & Lily describes its aesthetics in the following manner: “Our designs blend classic influences with modern lines; eclectic inspiration with great American style. We love spaces that feel put together, yet livable – well-traveled with a personal point of view. We believe home should be a welcoming oasis – your favorite place to retreat, gather, and live well every day.”

Serena & Lily offers free design advice and advice for every room of the house, including living and dining room furnishings, bedroom furniture, mattresses and bedding, lighting and décor, outdoor sofas, sectionals, dining room tables, chairs and rugs, throw pillows, rugs and accessories.

Both properties are owned by the Boji Group.

Boji Group purchased the iconic Linda Dresner building on the corner of Maple and Bates streets, renaming the building MapleBates. Ron Boji, owner of Boji Group, secured Serena & Lily with the help of Signature Associate’s Angela Thomas. The lease was signed in early November with plans for the company to move into the 7,945 square foot building by the end of July 2022. The development represents a $3.2 million investment.

CC Consulting assisted with the CB2 lease.

Boji, who is also part of the group developing the new four-story $50 million, 49,624 square foot RH (Restoration Hardware) store with a rooftop restaurant in downtown Birmingham, said, “I have been incredibly impressed with Birmingham and the vision the city and residents have for their community. Not only are we investing in the city, we’re also planning to move our headquarters here. The prosperity of the downtown greatly contributes to the vibrancy of the neighborhoods, and we’re pleased to be a part of that.”