Council confirms rumored eateries

Published 11:23 am Thursday, January 31, 2008

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



FULTONDALE — The future of Fultondale’s retail center was a popular topic for discussion at Monday’s city council meeting.

Councilman Greg Morris confirmed at least two more restaurants, Full Moon Barbecue and Sonic, would be coming to the city.

A former residence behind Waffle House is being demolished to make room for Full Moon, while Sonic will be located near the entrance. Additionally, a sign for an upcoming McDonald’s chain was recently put up at its future location between Arby’s and Jim Lowery Parkway.

Preliminary work has also started on a Stix Japanese Steakhouse, to be located on the Colonial Promenade site.

“Attracting these types of national tenants is always a good thing,” Morris said on Tuesday. “It gives the citizens options when they’re looking for meals.”

Morris and Mayor Jim Lowery Tuesday also offered more insight on the next phase of the Colonial Promenade shopping center’s south end. Morris said residents can look at similar shopping centers in Alabaster and Trussville to gain an idea about what stores may be coming to Fultondale.

However, Morris said it’s still too early to make any announcements. Morris and Lowery are expected to attend a shopping center convention in Las Vegas in the spring.

Morris said announcements on future stores could come as early as May. “We don’t want to announce them unless we have them,” he said. “It always looks badly if you don’t get it.”

Lowery said sales figures will provide a valuable bargaining tool to whatever retailers the city courts. He said Target’s sales are 40 percent higher than what was initially expected.

He said the city would still like to land a Belk’s and a Home Depot store at the site. Those two stores were initially thought to be part of the first phase of the shopping center.

Crews continue to work on the future JC Penney store, scheduled to open in August with a Ross store as part of phase two of the shopping center.

Other business mentioned at the city council meeting included future paving and striping plans. Lowery said the city has some paving needs and plans will also include permanent striping in several communities.

Lowery will discuss the city’s future plans in a special state of the city address Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Fultondale Senior Center.

In other business, the city council:

• approved a resolution appointing George W. Witcher to the municipal judge position for a term ending Nov. 3

• tabled a decision on the city’s dangerous dog ordinance until the next council meeting. Council members asked for more time to review sections of the bill’s language.

• approved a business license and retail liquor license application for Casa Fiesta Inc., located in the Colonial Promenade shopping center

• approved two street lights on Sayers Road

• changed the date of the Feb. 25 council meeting to Feb. 28 at 11:30 a.m.