Jim 'N Nick's opens in prime Jones Valley location

Zoom in: Jim 'N Nick's president Brian Lyman said "it was a no-brainer to come to Jones Valley."

• The University Drive location opened in 2017 and the Madison location in 2023, said Grey Standridge, local owner of Jim 'N Nick's in Huntsville.
• The corner, formerly the site of a CVS store that closed in late 2023, sees around 25,000 vehicles per day, according to city traffic counts, and is a key corridor for commuters coming over the mountain from U.S. 431.

What they're saying: Standridge said the search for a South Huntsville location took nearly three years, adding that "we really struggled to find the right spot."

• "There's so much growth happening in this area ... almost as soon as [sites] become available, they're gone," he said. "We kind of felt like we got really lucky with finding this location in such a prime spot."

State of play: The restaurant has hired 87 so far, Standridge said, and is still hiring.

• At the opening event Wednesday, Jim 'N Nick's also presented local schools nonprofit Free 2 Teach with a $2,500 check.

• Jennifer Cummings, director of programs with Free 2 Teach, said the organization has provided school supplies to more than 6,000 teachers over the past 14 years, amounting to $15 million in value.

💭 Derek's thought bubble: I don't go to a barbecue restaurant without eating, and if smoked chicken and Alabama white sauce is on the menu, I order it.

• I also got the pulled pork, baked beans and potato salad, trying out the Carolina mustard sauce as well, and everything was on the level, especially the sauces.

The bottom line: The opening was at 11am, and by 11:30am the place was full.