5 great cooking stores in Huntsville + beyond to upgrade your holiday hosting

Women look through a cookbook at The Cupboard in Decatur, Alabama, Exterior of The Cupboard in Decatur, Alabama, a top choice among cooking stores in Huntsville area — The Cupboard Owner Ginger Cobl shares a cookbook with customers at her Decatur shop. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

It’s finally time for big Thanksgiving meals and holiday spreads! While this is when star bakers and chefs shine, others may be a bit more Charlie Brown than Alton Brown in the kitchen.

Either way, you can elevate your holiday hosting by shopping at these great cooking stores in Huntsville and beyond.

1. The Cupboard in Decatur

Exterior of The Cupboard in Decatur, Alabama, top among cooking stores in Huntsville area — Gourmet kitchen shop The Cupboard celebrated its 11th anniversary in 2024. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Cookware at The Cupboard in Decatur, Alabama, Exterior of The Cupboard in Decatur, Alabama, a top choice among cooking stores in Huntsville area — Gourmet kitchen shop The Cupboard celebrated its 11th anniversary in 2024. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Making jellybeans, toast and popcorn? The Cupboard has your back, Charlie Brown. The shop stocks a line of delicious popcorn salts from J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works. (If you’re actually roasting a turkey, the shop stocks the same company’s dry brine mix, too.)

You also find a feast of:

High-quality, beautiful cookware + bakeware
Wüsthof knives + other kitchen tools
Gorgeous serving pieces + artful pottery
Beautiful cookbooks + whimsical linens
Gourmet goodies galore

The Cupboard Owner Ginger Cobl has built a loyal following for the store since opening it in 2013. Customers celebrated the business’s 11th anniversary shortly after Cobl expanded the shop into a much larger downtown location this past summer.

Where: 115 1/2 Johnston St SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM; Saturday 10AM-4PM
Info: Facebook

2. Alabama Goods in Jones Valley

A selection of infused olive oils, herbs and spices by Guntersville based Epicurious Infusion for sale at Alabama Goods, a favorite gift shop among cooking stores in Huntsville. — Alabama Goods carries a huge selection of gourmet goods, kitchen wares and other items made throughout the state. (Photos courtesy of Alabama Goods)

A display of clever printed hand towels and other kitchen cleaning gift items at Alabama Goods, a favorite gift shop among cooking stores in Huntsville. — Alabama Goods carries a huge selection of gourmet goods, kitchen wares and other items made throughout the state. (Photos courtesy of Alabama Goods)

Add made-in-Alabama flavors and flair to meals and other gatherings all season with a visit to Alabama Goods. The store stocks countless food and gift items made here in the Yellowhammer state.

Not only do you support local artisans and makers when buying from Alabama Goods, but you will also remind your family and guests there really is no place like home for the holidays.

Alabama Goods is also a go-to for corporate gifts and can customize sets to suit a wide range of budgets. Perfect for sending mementos of home to those who can’t gather ’round the table with you.

Where: 2722 Carl T Jones Dr SE Ste c1, Huntsville, AL 35802
When: Monday-Thursday, 10AM-7PM; Friday-Saturday 10AM-6PM; Sunday, 11AM-4PM
Info: Facebook | Website

3. Rafael’s Table at Whitesburg + Bob Wallace

A beautiful vintage soup tureen at Rafael's Table, a favorite among cooking stores in Huntsville. — Rafael’s Table moved into its current, much larger location this summer after launching at Lowe Mill. (Photos courtesy of Rafael’s Table)

A cute chef teddy bear at Rafael's Table, a favorite among cooking stores in Huntsville. — Rafael’s Table moved into its current, much larger location this summer after launching at Lowe Mill. (Photos courtesy of Rafael’s Table)

Rafael’s Table urges everyone to “get your gourmet on,” and they have everything you need to do it. Browse all kinds of prepared treats and DIY kits, artisanal pasta, oils and sauces, kitchen tools, serving pieces and more.

You can also sign up for cooking classes, with topics ranging from Chrismas cookie and jumbo gingerbread decorating to making crepes with lobster and shrimp Newburg.

Don’t miss the store’s huge Black Friday and Saturday sale or its second Holiday Sip & Shop set for December 20.

Where: 2357 Whitesburg Dr Suite D, Huntsville, AL 35801
When: Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-6PM; Saturday 10AM-4PM
Info: Facebook | Website

4. Lodge Factory Store in Athens

Interior of the Lodge Factory Store in Athens, Alabama, a new option among cooking stores in Huntsville area — The Lodge Factory Store in Athens (Photo Courtesy of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce)

Want to make Christmas breakfast prep feel just a little more substantial? A new Lodge Cast Iron Factory Store just opened in Athens with an official celebration on Nov. 1.

No more driving to Tennessee to add to that cast iron collection. (Don’t have one? Well, now is a fine time to start!)

You can’t miss the building’s bold yellow awning and unmistakable Lodge logo out front. Inside you can shop the brand’s complete collection of cast iron, plus plenty of accessories and other kitchen goodies.

Where: 1031b US Hwy 72 E, Athens, AL 35611
When: Daily, 10 AM–6 PM
Info: Facebook | Website

5. European Market in West Huntsville

Cherries between layers of a black forest cake before final decoration, purchased from European Market, good place for imported foods among cooking stores in Huntsville. — My first attempt at making Black Forest Cake using an imported mix from the European Market. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Try a new food product or add a recipe to your repertoire by shopping at European Market, which carries a wide selection of imported foods and other goods from Europe, specializing in products from Eastern Europe.

See our exclusive peek inside European Market on TikTok.

Last holiday season, I picked up an imported mix at European Market and took over my mom’s kitchen constructing it. I had never had a true Black Forest Cake, much less tried making one.

It was delish and even more fun to spend New Year’s Eve with my mom doing something new.

Where: 2745 Bob Wallace Ave SW # B, Huntsville, AL 35805
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-6PM
Info: Facebook

We’d love to hear about the treasures you find at these cooking stores in Huntsville and beyond.

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