Steakhouse, renovated theater step closer
Downtown Andalusia is one step closer to having a new restaurant and theater downtown, after the city council on Tuesday approved lease contracts with two businesses.
Mayor Earl Johnson explained the contract with Big Mike’s Restaurant Andalusia, LLC:
• The city agrees to install an elevator in the facility known as the Andala building, which it owns, at a cost not to exceed $100,000. The restaurant will occupy all three floors. The city also will undertake renovations of the first floor at an expense not to exceed $500,000. Any expense beyond $500,000 will be the responsibility of the restaurant owners.
• Big Mike’s will pay the city $800,000 over the lease term. The owners will pay the city $100,000 in cash upon the execution of the lease. No other rent will be due during the first year. In the second year, the business will pay $2,500 per month for 120 consecutive months, for a total of $300,000. The remaining $400,000 shall be paid in the amount of two percent of gross sales every month. The restaurant owners also have an option to buy the building.
Owners Mike Cole, Scott Powell and Caine Conway also own Big Mike’s in Thomasville, Ala., and draw customers from as far away as Mississippi. Their menu will be very much like the Thomasville location, they said. That menu offers a ribeye, New York Strip, or filet mignon, and they can be served smothered with caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, with fried or grilled shrimp, or with lump crab meat. On the seafood side, the menu includes Ahi tuna, chicken, and fresh Gulf Coast shrimp or oysters. They also will serve oysters on the half shell.
The restaurant is expected to produce... Read the remainder of this article on: Andalusia Star News.com
Andalusia Star News
I am really excited to receive yet another national ranking that places Andalusia at or near the top in terms of places to live.
The Smart Asset’s study uses criteria like tax rates, recreational and social opportunities and healthcare to determine the best places to live or in this case, retire. We’ve been working for years to enhance our image, to improve and expand services, upgrade facilities, attract new entertainment and quality of life venues and support our medical community. To have national recognition by two independent studies is really amazing especially considering the competition from all over the country.
Congratulations Andalusia! We’re doing great work. Let’s keep it up!
- Mayor Earl V. Johnson
Article By: Andalusia Star News
Firm says city’s 5th best retirement town in state
A New York financial technology company recently named Andalusia one of the top 10 placed to retire in Alabama. The city was not ranked in last year’s study.
SmartAsset’s study rates cities by their tax friendliness, recreational and social opportunities for seniors, and availability of medical care. Andalusia ranked No. 5 in Alabama this year, after being unranked in last year’s study.
According to a press release on the topic, SmartAsset gathered data on three separate regional factors that affect the quality of life for retirees for the study.
“First, we looked at state and local tax rates, considering two types of taxes: income and sales,” a spokesman said. “We calculated effective rates based on a typical retiree, earning $35,000 annually (from retirement savings, social security or part-time employment), and spending their disposable income on taxable goods.
“Next, we determined the number of doctors’ offices, recreation centers and retirement centers per thousand residents in each area. Finally, we found the number of seniors in each area as a percentage of the total population.”
In the final analysis, the company ranked each county and city on these three factors, and calculated an average ranking for each area, weighting the three factors equally. The areas with the lowest average ranking are the best places to retire.
Wetumpka was the top Alabama location, followed by Guntersville, Jasper, Muscle Shoals, Andalusia, Birmingham, Clanton, Fairhope, Florence and Greenville.
The study confirms what Charles Anderson has been saying for years.
Anderson, a retired high school geography and civics teacher who spent more than 50 years researching small cities for his In Search of Eden list of top small cities in America, ranks Andalusia as No. 44 in the nation, and top in the state.
Andalusia Star News
By: Michele Gerlach
"I was very humbled and honored this week when the Alabama Senate unanimously confirmed my appointment by Governor Bentley to the Troy University Board of Trustees. I deeply appreciate Governor Bentley’s and the Alabama Senate’s confidence in me and look forward to serving with the other trustees to continue the great excitement and enthusiasm for higher learning at Troy University." - Mayor Earl V. Johnson
The Alabama Senate on Thursday confirmed Andalusia Mayor Earl V. Johnson’s appointment to the board of trustees of Troy University.
The board has full management over Troy University. There are 13 voting members elected for 12-year terms. Members serve without compensation.
Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Johnson in September, pending the Senate approval.
“Mayor Earl Johnson has been the model TROY alumnus, serving as a member of our Foundation Board of Directors, chairman of our Sports Hall of Fame Board of Advisors, and a driving force behind the creation of our planned giving society,” Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor, said at the time of the governor’s appointment. “His family’s generosity led to the complete redesign and upgrade of our main Quad on the Troy Campus. His leadership and expertise in matters of policy will enhance an already strong Board of Trustees.”
Johnson’s ties to Troy date back to his childhood, when his mother decided to pursue an education degree. She and her three young sons lived in Troy during the week while she attended school, and they came home to Andalusia most weekends.
“But you see this all over this area,” Johnson said. “This university has had a tremendous impact. A lot of people, like my family, have been touched in a very positive way by Troy University.”“Our family’s associations with Troy are strong,” he said, adding that he also had a brother, cousins and a nephew who are Troy grads.
Johnson enrolled in Auburn as an undergraduate, but later transferred to Troy where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1970. He went on to earn a law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.
He entered politics in 2000, when he was first elected mayor of Andalusia. He was elected again in 2008 and reelected in 2012.
Andalusia Star News
By: Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Christ the King Catholic Church recently recognized the Andalusia Police Department for its support of the annual Walk for the Poor. Shown from left are Chief Paul Hudson, Archie Shakespeare, Officer Anthony Hattaway, and Assistant Chief Paul Dean.
Andalusia Star News
By: Michele Gerlach
Citizens of Andalusia received exciting news today!
We are proud to announce the upcoming addition of Big Mike's Steakhouse to downtown Andalusia. Big Mike’s will be located in the former Andala building, off of the Court Square. The restaurant will employee approximately thirty people.
The exciting news didn’t end with Big Mike’s Steakhouse. The Clark Theatre is to be completely restored and updated. The restored theater will be fully digital and include reclining seats.
These restoration projects will bring new life to two iconic, highly visible structures. Fill them with fun, vibrant activity and provide entertainment opportunities to families and citizens of all ages.
Video of Announcement
Citizens of Andalusia received exciting news today!
We are proud to announce the upcoming addition of Big Mike's Steakhouse to downtown Andalusia. Big Mike’s will be located in the former Andala building, off of the Court Square. The restaurant will employee approximately thirty people.
The exciting news didn’t end with Big Mike’s Steakhouse. The Clark Theater is to be completely restored and updated. The restored theater will be fully digital and include reclining seats.
These restoration projects will bring new life to two iconic, highly visible structures. Fill them with fun, vibrant activity and provide entertainment opportunities to families and citizens of all ages.