Print | Return to menu

NEW BUSINESSES

August 2009

Mosaic Tapas Bar opened at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Featuring a unique blend of hot and cold tapas and hookas, patrons have the opportunity to sample a diverse selection of international food. The food and drinks are from numerous countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Italy and Spain and are served in small portions so guest can taste a variety of menu items. For more information, visit www.mosaictapasbar.com.

 

July 2009

Spanning almost a third of mile over the gulf waters, the longest fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico is now open to the public and is located in the Alabama Gulf State Park. Exceeding its predecessor’s dimensions, this new structure – which rises 20 feet above the water - is 1,512 feet long and 20 feet wide. The pier is located approximately 300 feet east of the previous structure and features a concession area with restrooms, picnic tables, a snack bar and a tackle shop. At the middle of the structure are more restrooms and a saltwater in-take system for the Marine Resource Division. The pier’s end is a 65-foot octagon that extends over the second sandbar, where big fish like cobia, king mackerel and tarpon live. The project also includes a new parking lot. This pier is one of several new items at the Gulf State Park. In 2006, park guests saw the addition of more lakeside cabins and the opening on a new beach pavilion. For more information, visit www.alapark.com.

Sweetie Pies opened in the Pelican Place Shopping Center in Gulf Shores. Known for its sweet creations, this award-winning bakery specializes in pies and features a 1950s retro theme, complete with glass coke bottles. Customers can savor a slice of pie or order a whole pie. Also, this bakery serves deli sandwiches, soups and salads. For more information, call 251-943-8119.

In addition to The Adventure Zone (see entry below), The Wharf expanded its selection of summer activities with The Hippo, which is an enormous water slide. Spanning 36 feet high, 47 feet wide and 175 feet long, the slide will be open for the summer season only and is located near the new Conference Center. The ticket pricing is as follows: 1 for $4.00, 6 for $22.50, 10 for $35.00, 16 for $48.00, 20 for $55.00 and 40 for $80.00. An all-day pass is $35.00. For more information, visit www.thewharfal.com.

The nationally recognized Rum Runners restaurant chain now has a location at The Wharf. Customers can select from an award-winning lunch, dinner or late-night menu. With a tropical Caribbean atmosphere, the restaurant’s entertainment features dueling pianos, which consists of two entertainers playing baby grand pianos simultaneously. For more information, visit www.rumrunnersusa.com.

Nolan’s Restaurant opened in Sawgrass Landing in Gulf Shores. Established in 1986, Phillip Harris’ parents lead this popular Gulf Shores eatery until the family sold in it 1995. Harris along with his wife recently bought the restaurant back and decided to reopen it. Featuring steaks and seafood, this restaurant also has live entertainment and is open daily. For more information, call 251- 948-2111.

 

June 2009

Café Nola opened on 2nd Street in Gulf Shores. Specializing in authentic New Orleans cuisine, this restaurant features an expansive menu, including Cajun pistols, seafood and poboys. Open for lunch and dinner, this business will also have live entertainment. For more information, call Café Nola at 251-967-2200.

May 2009

Gulf Shores welcomed the addition of another family-friendly attraction. Shrimpy’s Mini Golf and Arcade is an 18-hole miniature golf course located on East Second Avenue near Mikee’s Seafood. The business also offers an indoor arcade and concessions, such as candy, ice cream and drinks. This facility is handicap-accessible. For more information, call 251-504-1970.

The Wharf Adventure Zone opened for the summer season and features child-appropriate activities, such as an 800-foot long zip line and a 32-foot tall ropes course. Admission for the zip line is $18.00 while the ropes course costs $12.00. A combo pass for both activities is $25.00. This business is a part of Recreation Solutions, Inc. For more information, call 850-376-8888.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites opened a new property in Gulf Shores. This 4-floor building, located just off Highway 59 on Commerce Avenue, offers 89 guest rooms – all of which are non-smoking. Other property amenities include an outdoor pool, a health and fitness center and guest self-laundry facilities. For more information, visit www.holidayinnexpress.com/gulfshoresal.

The Pleasure Island community welcomed a new boating facility as Barber Marina opened across the Intracoastal Waterway from Orange Beach. Wet slips in the concrete floating dock can accommodate boats up to 125 feet in length while the dry storage can handle boats up to 42 feet in length. Customers will also want to check out the ship store with a bait and tackle shop in addition to the wireless internet service and conveniently located showers, restrooms and laundry facilities. For a complete list of amenities and more information, visit www.barbermarina.com.

April 2009

The Wharf - a multi-use resort property in Orange Beach – saw the opening of three new businesses in April:

• Emerald Coast Coffee and Grille is unique café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Patrons can savor specialty hand roasted coffee blends, exotic teas and blended smoothies. This business also features an international, eclectic mix of healthy food options, such as their signature paninis. The coffees served at this café are micro-roasted in the company’s roasting facility (which is a 100-year-old church) in Coffee County, Alabama. For more information, visit www.emeraldcoastcoffee.com.
• Shucker’s Oyster Bar is a casual, open-air restaurant, which is located on the west end of the marina. With dockside dinning overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, the restaurant features a delicious menu highlighted by a thirst-quenching drink list. For more information, call (251) 224-1910.
• Infinity Bicycles, LLC opened a second location at The Wharf. In addition to renting bicycles, this store also sells and services Trek products. For more information, visit www.infinity-bicycles.com.

Bon Secour Adventures is a private charter boat on picturesque Bon Secour River. Customers can select a fishing charter, shrimping charter or a scenic river cruise. Other highlights include crab pot pulling and wildlife/dolphin tours. The company also offers round-trip services for a half or full day of kayaking on the river. For more information, visit www.shrimpcharter.com.

March 2009

The Shrimp Basket opened its eighth restaurant at Zeke’s Landing in Orange Beach. Specializing in steamed, fried or grilled seafood, oysters and crawfish, this restaurant chain was first established in 1993 in Gulf Shores and has since expanded to include other coastal Alabama and Florida Panhandle locations. For more information, visit www.shrimpbasket.com.

Happy Harbor Restaurant and Bar opened at Sun Harbor Marina and is located next door to the Orange Beach Tacky Jack’s. With outside desk seating, patrons can savor the tasty food and a beautiful sunset. This restaurant is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 251-981-1910.

Orange Beach welcomed Hammerheads Night Club, which features live bands and DJs, who play a mix of modern techno, hip-hop and classics from the 1970s and 1980s. This nightclub spans 6,100 square feet, including the 2,000 square foot dance floor with laser beams. Private parties and the VIP sections may be booked. All customers must be 21 years of age. For more information, visit www.hammerheadsob.com.

Wolf Bay Lodge opened a temporary location at Zeke’s Landing Marina after the restaurant on the shore of Wolf Bay burned in December 2008. The new location is open seven days a week, which is different from its previous schedule, but features the same menu. Plans are to rebuild the Wolf Bay location and possibly keep the second Orange Beach restaurant open. For more information, visit www.wolf-bay-lodge.com.

The Wharf - a multi-use resort property in Orange Beach - opened its Conference Center. Since the late October 2008 ground-breaking, crews have been hard at work on this facility. With approximately 27,000 square feet, the center is one of the largest on the Gulf Coast, seating more than 2,000 guests for a reception in the 18,600 square foot exhibition hall. A partitioned wall system divides this space into smaller meeting rooms. Other amenities include a green room, state-of-the-art video and visual technology and a catering kitchen. Already booked for 2009, this facility will host Student Life, a youth ministry organization, who will use the center from May through August for its summer camps. For more information on The Wharf, visit www.thewharfal.com.

February 2009

Gulf Shores welcomed a new beach hangout as Foxy’s West Beach Bar and Grill opened its doors. Located in the Waves Shopping Center (at the corner of 11th Street and Highway 182/West Beach Blvd.), this restaurant serves a variety of food, such as an infamous burger called “The Brick”. Guests can enjoy live music every Thursday through Saturday night (from 9:00 p.m. to midnight) and a relaxing deck view of the gulf and the lagoon. This restaurant opens daily at 11:00 a.m. and features wireless internet access. For more information, call the Foxy’s at 251-948-4745.

Also, other businesses to recently open in the Waves Shopping Center are Shake’s Frozen Custard and Waves, which is one-stop store for beach items, groceries and bait and tackle.

Staybridge Suites opened a new hotel in Gulf Shores. The 4-floor building features 88 guest rooms, which are equipped with full kitchens and wireless internet access. Guests can stay in a studio, one bedroom or two bedroom suite. Other property amenities include a business center, a fitness room, a meeting room and an outdoor pool. A complimentary hot Southern breakfast is served daily while a complimentary “sundowner reception” (light dinner) is hosted Tuesday through Thursday evenings. For more information, visit www.staybridge.com.

January 2009

Located in the heart of Alabama’s seafood industry, Bon Secour welcomed a new restaurant on the banks of its winding river. The Captain’s Galley – which was once known for its pizza and burgers – reopened under the leadership of Al and Diane Sawyer, who also own King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant in Gulf Shores. Paying homage to his mother’s Italian roots with several of her signature dishes, the restaurant also features its legendary pizza and burgers. With dock access, boaters are welcome. This charming restaurant with a rustic, natural setting is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call 251-949-5777.

The area welcomed Cobalt, a restaurant located at the Caribe Resort in Orange Beach. With 14,000 square-feet, the restaurant seats 300 people and features an oyster bar and gourmet pizzas. Brian Harsany (owner of Cosmo's Restaurant and Bar also located in Orange Beach) teamed up with Larry Wireman (Caribe Resort developer) to create this establishment, which is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.cobaltorangebeach.com.

December 2008

Fairfield Inn and Suites, which is a Marriot property, opened its newest location in Orange Beach. This 5-floor, 116-room hotel features spacious guest rooms and meeting space for 100 people in addition to a boardroom that will seat 10 people. The property is located just across the street from the beach but features a boardwalk and direct access to the gulf. For more information, visit www.fairfieldinnorangebeach.com.

October 2008

Authentic Southern charm returned to Pleasure Island in the form of a magnificent 84-year-old beach house. Located in Orange Beach, the Original Romar House Bed and Breakfast Inn celebrated its grand reopening in September. Damaged in 2004, the property has undergone extensive restoration efforts and returned to its former glory. The beachside inn was built in 1924 and is currently operated by proprietor Jerry Gilbreath and manager Darrell Finley. To learn more about this charming historic property, visit www.bbonline.com/al/romarhouse.

June 2008

The area welcomed a new luxury condominium development as Turquoise Place opened in Orange Beach. The first emerald glass tower spans 24 stories and showcases 173 units. Each unit ranges from 2,400 to 5,900 square feet and features numerous high-end amenities, such as gas fireplaces, Wolf and Sub-Zero stainless steel kitchen appliances and balconies with outdoor kitchens and Jacuzzi hot tubs. Pre-construction pricing started around $1.2 million. Other property amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a salt water lazy river, a heated salt water pool, hot tubs, a dry sauna, steam room and owner’s meeting space. This building was developed by Larry Wireman, who also developed Caribe Resort in Orange Beach. Construction for the second tower will be complete in 2009 and includes 224 units covering 30 floors. For more information, visit www.turquoiseplace.com.

Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals opened its newest condominium property in Orange Beach. Phoenix West is a 1.2 million square foot building that showcases 27 floors of three and four-bedroom condominiums, each spanning more than 1,900 square feet. Meeting facilities on this property include two large meeting rooms. Each room covers 4,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 500 people. Groups also have access to break-out space and areas for exhibits and meals. Other property amenities include heated indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and a lazy river. For more information, visit www.brett-robinson.com/rental_phxwest.html.

May 2008

The Hangout is located at the corner of Highways 59 and 182 and opened on May 2. Amenities include seating for 343 people inside the 17,800 square-foot restaurant in addition to a retail shop, three outdoor theme bars, a stage for live music and a projection screen to show old beach movies. For more information, visit www.thehangoutal.com.

Also, Guy Harvey's Island Grill, Shop and Gallery opened at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Featuring American style food served in a nautical and fish-themed atmosphere, this facility has seating for over 250 people and showcases a game room and a large outdoor boat bar. Across the veranda from the restaurant is the first Guy Harvey gallery in the United States. For more information, visit www.guyharveysislandgrill.com.

February 2007

Pelican Place at Craft Farms – a 650,000 square foot mixed-use development - opened in Gulf Shores. Phase one of this lifestyle center includes 220,000 square foot of retail and restaurant space and features several anchor stores, such as Target, Books-A-Million, Cobb Theatre and Bed, Bath and Beyond. For more information, visit www.thepelicanplace.com.

Return to menu

Subscribe to eScoop