Uptown is moving Uptown............ (Huntsville, Vestavia Hills: 2014, home, tenants)

[raj kapoor]

With new restaurants, that is.
Of course the WESTIN is opening along with its TODD ENGLISH pub, which is quite good.

Texas de Brazil is set to open in the Spring of 2014 as well as the newly announced CANTINA LAREDO.(Dallas based)

OCTANE is opening in September followed in the Fall 2013 by THE IVY of Atlanta. (most likely under a new name)

Also opening in Spring 2014 will be MUGSHOTS GRILL AND BAR. (from Ms. and currently running a very successful location in Vestavia Hills City Center.)

I personally only have experience with CANTINA LAREDO. I came across it in the mid-west a few years ago and really loved it. Then it opened in BridgeStreet in Huntsville. It and Barnes and Noble have been my only reasons to ever go to BS, when in that area.
I really like this restaurant, it reminds me of a Brios or Bravos done with an Hispanic/Latin flavor. So much so I came home from the first visit and looked it up to see if it was theirs.

We have some great local restaurants downtown, and this may be the reason that Jeffrey Bayer is able to get these restaurants into that location. Normally these businesses choose more suburban style settings.
I think this is a milestone for downtown development. These are the first national businesses to come into downtown in many years. This can easily solidify what we are all pulling for. I know that CANTINA can count on my business WITHOUT TAKING ANY AWAY FROM THE LOCALS I LIKE downtown.

It is pricey and I do wonder if it will hold out in BS as it is fairly empty when I go there often. But they have lost quite a number of restaurants over pricing in the past few years.

I think they are a great fit for UPTOWN, and will give me even more reason to go more often

This brings UPTOWN/WESTIN to ninety percent occupancy during horrible economic times. It can only get better, but job well done so far.

raj

[Tourian]

Good news indeed. And they claim to have two tenants in negotiations over the last spot.

[cpg35223]

Well, I'm encouraged. But I think there needs to be a pretty vigorous effort to keep the interest going. Events and festivals centered around the complex are probably going to be key in order to get people to change their patterns. Of course, it is bolstered by what is now a pretty energetic nightlight along 1st and 2nd Avenue. Wouldn't take much to get people to occasionally migrate a few blocks north.

[bluebeard]

I don't know if I will bother to venture there. But I'm happy it exists, if it encourages generally activity and interest. If there are events there, then I'd be more likely to go. I just tend to like the more mom and poppish type places to eat. But at least these chains are more interesting ones.

[mcalumni01]

just imagine with all the development going on with all the entertainment districts downtown (parkside, uptown, southside, lakeview, 2nd Ave N.)....some good form of public transportations that would connect all the districts would put everything going on over the top. a street car type transportations (maybe 3 or 4) along this route.... 11th Ave N west to 17th Ave N then south to 1st Ave N. passing Kelly Ingram Park then west to to 14th St. N then south to 7th Ave. S passing railroad park and region field (parkside district) then east (passing southside district, iron city/workplay area) to 28th St. S. (lakeview district) then north to 3rd Ave N. then west to 24th St S. then finally north (passing 2nd Ave. N district) to 11th Ave N (uptown)

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by bluebeard

I don't know if I will bother to venture there. But I'm happy it exists, if it encourages generally activity and interest. If there are events there, then I'd be more likely to go. I just tend to like the more mom and poppish type places to eat. But at least these chains are more interesting ones.

Yeah. I'm kind of with you.

[Tourian]

They also mentioned that the plans called for another building. Im guessing it has been put aside for a while until demand increases but at least the notion is there.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by Tourian

They also mentioned that the plans called for another building. Im guessing it has been put aside for a while until demand increases but at least the notion is there.

Yes, there is a substantial building on a small strip at the end of the block forming a bookend with the Westin. I'm thinking that is some time later, but.......

raj

[Tourian]

Substantial, huh? Maybe it can be that oft mentioned chain that a few of us love but others are tired of hearing about. ..

[Miv]

I love Mugshots!!!