The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and Tasia Malakasis went the usual, big-bucks route. Then she threw it into reverse—back home to rural Alabama and into her passion for artisan food craft.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and Tasia Malakasis went the usual, big-bucks route. Then she threw it into reverse—back home to rural Alabama and into her passion for artisan food craft.

By Jessica Armstrong

Near Miss Leads to Sure Thing Business

John Wydner's fall from a tree stand could have been fatal, but that near miss made him determined to make a user-friendly harness for hunters.

John Wydner's fall from a tree stand could have been fatal, but that near miss made him determined to make a user-friendly harness for hunters.

By Cara D. Clark

Rural Route Grocers

Independent stores cater to local communities, giving them an edge over larger chains in customer service.

Independent stores cater to local communities, giving them an edge over larger chains in customer service.

By Kathy Hagood

A Toast to Progress

Albertville vintners hope new laws will benefit wine producers as much as climate, location, passion and hard work have.

Albertville vintners hope new laws will benefit wine producers as much as climate, location, passion and hard work have.

By Lionel Green

2011 Newsmakers

Business Alabama's wrap up of the state's 2011 news portfolio

By Chris McFadyen and Nedra Bloom

The Little Ice Cream Shop that Could

Cammie’s Old Dutch, a beloved Mobile institution for 42 years, could have gone out of business when its supplier was shuttered, but determined owner Cammie Wayne wouldn’t let that happen.

Cammie’s Old Dutch, a beloved Mobile institution for 42 years, could have gone out of business when its supplier was shuttered, but determined owner Cammie Wayne wouldn’t let that happen.

By Michelle Roberts Matthews

Changing the Rules on the Family Farm

The small businesses that produce Alabama’s largest agriculture crop are hoping to get some protection against the big businesses they supply.

The small businesses that produce Alabama’s largest agriculture crop are hoping to get some protection against the big businesses they supply.

By Chris McFadyen

Concepts in Eats and Enterprise

With a resume of four-star resorts from New York to California, James Boyce landed an entrepreneurial gig in north Alabama, creating a string of three distinctive restaurants in historic downtown Huntsville.

With a resume of four-star resorts from New York to California, James Boyce landed an entrepreneurial gig in north Alabama, creating a string of three distinctive restaurants in historic downtown Huntsville.

By Dana Jaffe