HUNTSVILLE, AL | JULY 26, 2016 – A Madison-based restaurateur is working to bring a new retail development to a “landmark” location this fall in the City of Huntsville.
Michael Northern, vice president and partner at WJP Restaurant Group, is working to launch an 18,000-square-foot facility just outside Gate 9 at Redstone Gateway. The development will feature 12,000 square feet of restaurant, conference and dining space at the arsenal entrance where traffic from Interstate 565 feeds.
The 468-acre project will feature two fast-casual eateries, a sit-down restaurant and tavern, and a Redstone Gateway conference and dining center that specializes in business meetings, product introductions, retirement parties, birthdays and other celebrations.“These are not chain restaurants but rather something more unique, something even more special,” Northern said.
WJP is partnering with Corporate Office Properties Trust to develop the project, which will open in phases beginning in mid-September. Here is a list of the new businesses opening soon:
- Fiero Mexican Grill – The quick-casual restaurant will open Sept. 12 with authentic, from-scratch Mexican street food, including tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. Northern said the service style will be similar to Chipotle and feature simple flavors at an attractive price point. “Spend as much as you want or as little as you want,” he said. The restaurant’s flagship location is in Annapolis Junction, Md.
- DipWich Original American Sandwiches – DipWich will offer classic roast beef and turkey dip sandwiches with bread made in-house, fresh cut fries, salads and premium milk shakes. The patriotic-themed restaurant is set to open Sept. 26.
- Rocket City Tavern – Northern said the “destination” lunch and dinner spot will feature an indoor/outdoor bar, locally-made beer, craft cocktails, patio dining, historic black-and-white photos from Redstone Arsenal and NASA, and artwork commissioned by Rocket Republic Brewing Company and Straight to Ale. “We have such a rich history here in Huntsville and Madison,” Northern said. “We created a tagline for the restaurant that reads, ‘Where history and people meet for great food and drink.'” Rocket City Tavern will debut Oct. 10.
- Redstone Gateway Conference and Dining Center – Many conference facilities in Huntsville are geared toward larger functions. Northern said the conference and dining center at Redstone Gateway will be ideal for smaller groups in the Redstone Arsenal and defense/subcontractor communities. It will offer “mission-critical” catering for 120 sit-down guests and multiple chef’s tables in the main production kitchen when it opens Sept. 12.
The development, which will create 75 jobs, will host a grand opening celebration for all four businesses Oct. 10. A news conference with the latest project details will be held Aug. 10 at the Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center.
Northern, an experienced chef and manager in the culinary arts, said the project will provide a fresh way for the community to connect with Redstone Arsenal. There are also two open bays at the development for future expansion.
COPT Manager of Investor Relations Michelle Layne declined to reveal how much the real estate investment trust corporation is spending on the site, but said it is a “multi-million dollar investment.”
With more than 40,000 workers on Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau President/CEO Judy Ryals hopes the retail project will be a hit with employees and residents throughout the community.
“Visitors will also see a new hotel, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, in the development,” she said. “This mixed-use hub will serve our growing community well for many years to come.”
This article was written by Lucy Berry of al.com on July 26, 2016. To view the original article, please visit http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2016/07/post_396.html#incart_river_home
