Former Moe’s location prepares for new restaurant tenant

Where there’s smoke, there’s economic development fire. At least that’s the case in the Rocky Ridge business district. There, the combination of aesthetic storefront upgrades and the relocation of Moe’s Original Bar B Que have sparked interest from a wide swath of would-be tenants.

“Since the major facade restoration and relocation of businesses in the area, the collective sales of businesses in the district have increased approximately 4%,” said City Manager Jeff Downes. 

Downes is working closely with area stakeholders, including Robin Morgan, owner of Morgan Properties, and Lee Wooten, owner of the former Moe’s Original Bar B Que location at 2501 Rocky Ridge Road, to further capitalize on the potential of the business district.

When Moe’s vacated the space, it left behind a 3,400-square-foot property with a rustic interior, exposed beams and enviable drive-by traffic, all of which have fueled plenty of commercial interest. 

But for Wooten, whose family has owned the property since 1943, it was never about replacing Moe’s with just any tenant. 

He has turned down several interested parties, including a paint store, on grounds that they were not a good fit for the area. 

“I want my family to feel a sense of pride when they drive by,” he said. “They should see a nice building and a successful business occupying it.”

Wooten’s resolve has paid off. Pending City Council approval, he expects the building to open its doors as a new restaurant, effective January 1.

Tight-lipped on details for due diligence reasons, Wooten expressed confidence about the tenant being a good match for the area.

“This should be a productive business and a great revenue opportunity for Vestavia,” he said. “But most importantly, I want it to be a place where families want to be.”

The desire to keep it family-friendly is personal for Wooten, who grew up in the lot immediately behind the former Moe’s building. In what he has described as a painful exercise, Wooten is sacrificing much of that home’s original footprint to make the lot more attractive and functional. 

He has made a $10,000 investment in that regard, allocated primarily for the creation of 12 additional parking spaces. Wooten is also working with the city’s zoning commission to change the lot’s exit onto the less congested Ridgedale Drive.

“The Rocky Ridge business district is a very important and strong part of the city’s tax base as well as being a cornerstone to our city’s unique character,” said Downes. “And when the property owners of the district make the substantive investment that they have made in recent months, the city and its tenants will see economic growth. A new restaurant in the Wooten property will only enhance those results.”