BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
They say the third time is a charm.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting for Millbrook’s Taco Bell is complete after the celebration this morning, with the business officially open and serving customers. For now the service is drive-thru only, and will operate until midnight tonight. The store’s drive-thru will be open 7 days a week with hours from 9 a.m. to midnight daily. The dining room is closed for now due to COVID-19, but we will update when that changes.
Located on Highway 14 next to Jack’s near I-65, city officials, Chamber members and residents gathered this morning to meet Tacala President Tim Morrison and the crew for the newest store in the franchise.
Millbrook’s location makes the 319th such store for Tacala,Inc., and Morrison said he was only sorry they couldn’t get the doors open any sooner. COVID-19 caused some delays, as with so many other projects across our area.
There were issues under a former franchise owner, that was not interested in locating a new store in Millbrook at the time, Mayor Kelley said. Twice the city thought the deal was sealed with the previous owner, and twice those hopes were dashed.
However, that franchise was bought out by Tacala Inc. last year, and soon after plans were made to open the Millbrook location.
“We are very proud to be here in Millbrook,” Morrison said, as he stood next to Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley before the ribbon cutting. “This is going to be a great store with a great crew to serve this area.”
Mayor Kelley said that he has received more calls over about the community’s desire for the franchise in the city, than any other subject in recent memory. “This has been a little crazy with so much interest in this restaurant,” Kelley said with a smile. “But here we are, and it is a great day in Millbrook.”
Those in attendance praised the size of the store, as well as the outside dining area. Millbrook Police helped with traffic flow along Hwy. 14.
“This was a long time coming, and we had some hurdles to jump,” Mayor Kelley said. “After the deal with the previous franchise owner fell through twice, we penned a letter to the corporate office asking for direction. That is when we learned that Tacala, Inc. had taken over the franchise and hope was renewed.”
Also this morning, city officials were scheduled to meet with representatives from the Alabama Department of Transportation about the serious need for traffic signals at the entrance to Jacks, Taco Bell, Urgent Care and the Popeye’s which will begin construction very soon.
“This area already sees a lot of traffic, and we have some serious concerns about making it as safe as possible, as quickly as possible,” Mayor Kelley said. He said the city began talks with ALDOT almost two years ago, and he is hopeful that the meeting this morning will show the urgent need. See more photos below.
