The Summit - Birmingham, Alabama - Shopping Mall

The Summit is a shopping mall situated at the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and Interstate 459 in Summit Boulevard in Birmingham, Alabama. Opening hours are 10am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, 12noon to 6pm on Sundays. The Summit offers more than 97 specialty stores and eateries spread over approximately one million square feet of retail space.

The mall is owned by Bayer Properties, which has been in operation since 1983 and The Summit is its flagship property. The company portfolio contains 21 retail properties consisting of shopping centers, main street retail projects and office buildings, with a total of four million square feet. Originally opened in 1997 the shopping center has four anchors, which are Belk, Saks Fifth Avenue, Carmike Cinema and Barnes & Noble.

The mall has numerous stores with various eateries, and features many fashion stores for men and women. Ladies apparel can be purchased at stores such as Ann Taylor, Chico's, Claire's, New York and Company and Victoria's Secret, whilst there is something for men and women at places such as at American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Gap and Levi. Children's clothing can be found a selection of stores such as abercrombie, GAP Kids, The Children's Place, Gymboree and Janie & Jack.

Several show stores are housed at The Summit including Aldo, Clarks, Marmi Shoes and Merrell, whilst sports gear can be found at Champs and Mountain High Outfitters. Health and beauty is well catered for too in the shape of stores like Bath & Body Works, and L'Occitane as well as home furnishings, which can be bought at several places such as Pottery Barn, or Williams-Sonoma. There are other stores selling a variety of books, gifts, music and electrical goods such as Franklin Covey, Amy's Hallmark, Apple, Bose and Coconuts Music & Video.

There is an assortment of dining options for visitors ranging from snacks to sit down restaurant meals. Pastas and pizzas can be found as restaurants such as Macaroni Grill or California Pizza Kitchen or other dining options include Fleming's Steakhouse, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Sweet Bones Alabama and Zoe's Kitchen. Sweets and snacks are to be found at Ben & Jerry's, Joe Muggs Newsstand and Mrs. Field's Cookies and Pretzels.

Entertainment is provided at Carmike Summit 16, a cinema showing all the latest film releases. Several bars, clubs and restaurants can also be found in Birmingham such as Surin West and Blue Monkey Lounge. Visitors traveling from further afield can stay overnight at one of many hotels in the area such as the Marriott Birmingham or Hampton Inn Birmingham Colonnade.

There is a Guest Services located between Aveda Experience Center and Francesca's Collections, and is open during regular mall hours with staff able to help with store and local area information. The Summit Gift Card can be purchased here, which is accepted by all stores, restaurants and the cinema at The Summit, with five percent of the card purchase value going to local charities. Two banks are also open in the area, which are Regions Bank and Wachovia