BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
For 20 years Front Porch Grill has been a big part of the Millbrook community. That isn’t changing, so have no fear. But the business is making a move with their restaurant business next week to the former Neighborhood Grill.
We found Marty and Jesse Bean hard at work this afternoon, along with some crew, cleaning up the former Neighborhood Grill and preparing for a soft opening, expected sometime next week. Stay tuned, as we will have regular updates.
But an immediate need is MORE STAFF throughout. You can come by the new location, or the old location to put in an application.
As for the old location, it will still be a part of Front Porch Grill, but in a different way. We will have more on that to come as well.
“We have outgrown the place where we are (in the current location), and opportunities arose in many ways,” Marty said. “We decided we would pursue taking over this lease where Neighborhood Grill was located. The seating capacity is larger and most importantly there will be much more parking. The kitchen and the atmosphere for our workers will be much better.”
Marty said there are big plans for the future of the former location, and customers should be excited about those plans, to be announced soon.
“Our tentative plans, provided inspections go well, is to open up in the new location next Monday, Oct. 23. We will have a soft opening, with a crazy special on Tuesday until it runs out,” Marty said.
For the new location, he plans to partner with Legacy Seafood Market and BBQ owner Jeff Campbell for steaks and seafood in the future. Legacy is not closing their current location, but simply partnering with Front Porch Grill.
“Jeff is a really good guy, and he has been down here working all week getting everything ready,” Marty said.
“We will have certified Herford Beef, with a lot of Alabama farmers providing that beef,” he said. “The meat has a really rich buttery flavor. We want to have a really good meal that everyone can afford to come out and eat. It is something I think the area needs, and it needs to be done right.”
In speaking of the faithful following of Front Porch Grill, Marty said it is because of their devotion that Front Porch is able to move to the new location.
“Some of our amazing customers come in and eat with us three times a day,” Marty said with a smile. He said it is more like feeding family than just customers.
The hours for the new business will be Monday through Thursday 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (for startup, but that could change down the line.) “Once we get more staff hired and things lined up, we will extend that to perhaps 9 or 10 p.m.”
For now, go by and check out the giant beach chair in front of the new location. Marty said people have already been by to take photos. And until the new location officially opens, it is business as usual for the original Front Porch Grill of Millbrook.
In case you do not know, the new location is right next to Food Outlet in Millbrook.
Again, stay tuned for updates on the exact opening day, as well as the big plans for the old location.
