History

The Waites History per Cookbook

Named as an homage to Birmingham history, The Waites stands where the former Waite’s bakery once stood, a notable Southside institution for nearly 60 years before closing in 1988. Our 70,000 square foot building features eight retail spaces and three stories of one and two bedroom apartments.

Waite’s has closed, but Waite’s are still around. And, don’t despair of never again tasting your favorite Waite’s delicacy.

When Robert Waite retired in 1984, almond macaroons and a lot of other mouth-watering things that generations of Birminghamians had bought at Waite’s on 21st Street South seemed to disappear from the face of the earth. The Van Scott family that bought Waite’s tried to keep it afloat, but after four years admitted defeat and closed its doors.