Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Wednesday evening was a monumental day for the historic preservation of downtown Prattville.
Officials, residents and lovers of history were present for the groundbreaking of the Picker House, which will soon be renovated into a beautiful restaurant with decks overlooking Autauga Creek.
Bradley Neave is on the Historic Preservation Redevelopment Authority and introduced Karen and Darin Phillips as the new owners of the 165-year-old building. Under their ownership, it will be redeveloped, reconstructed, and offer a “million-dollar view.”
The Phillips are residents of Prattville and said this marks off a huge bucket list item with the redevelopment of the historical building.
Neave explained that a quick conversation some time back led to Karen and Darin taking a tour of the Picker House.
“Ever since the word ‘go’ they have been the perfect partners for HPRA and the perfect partners for the City of Prattville. We know they are going to bring something excellent here. They have put in a lot of hard work. They have an incredible staff here already.”
Neave spoke of all of the Dinner in the District nights over the years, and the wishes for those type of activities to be more prevalent.
“With Darin and Karen, this is going to become a reality.”
The future restaurant and all of its offerings are expected to be ready for business near the end of 2025.
HPRA Chairman Emeritus Tom Newton offered a prayer over the event, and for the future of this endeavor.
Neave said that the years of work and planning to preserve the Picker House was made possible by multiple agencies and individuals. “This just didn’t happen overnight,” he said.
Neave introduced new HPRA board members, saying that a lot of what the agency does is not always in the public eye.
“A lot of what we do is sitting around in rather boring meetings trying to figure out how to help Prattville and how to make the place better,” Neave said. “When you get to do something as special as this, that will have a truly public benefit, it is really nice.”
Chambless King Architects group was represented at the event. This is the same group that worked on the beautiful preservation of The Mill Apartments.
“And that turned out absolutely fantastic. They will be keeping the themes going and hopefully that will culminate with the Spillway Park as well.”
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie addressed the large crowd, stating it was a great day.
“And how about Prattville’s million-dollar view over here,” Gillespie said. “The sound and the view, isn’t that great? I guess you could say this is Prattville’s little phoenix.”
Gillespie thanked John and Ann Boutwell, and so many others that played a role in making the event possible.
He said that when the arson fire destroyed much of the old Daniel Pratt buildings in 2002, it was devastating.
“We took the lemons and made lemonade,” Gillespie said touching on all of the events that are now held in the area. Those include the Christmas Tree lighting, the ice-skating rink, Parade of Pumpkins, Dinner in the District and other events throughout the year.
“It takes so many folks, so many of those partnerships, that come together to have the vision come about. Right now, it is the million-dollar view. In the very near future, because of the Phillips and all their vision, working with HPRA, it is going to be a million-dollar plus view.”
Gillespie thanked the Phillips for their investment in Prattville, and asked for a round of applause for everyone who played a part.
“I think we are going to have so many communities so envious of what we have here in downtown Prattville,” Gillespie said.
Neave then thanked the city planners and Robby Anderson in particular. “There were some possibilities to expand upon the view out back. The city really went the extra mile to make that a possibility. I think it has worked wonders.”
Darin Phillips then took the podium saying the support he and his wife have received is amazing.
He said they were always interested in the building, and when conversations began about the possibilities, things began to move quickly.
“This morning, I was walking through here and laying my hands on every part of the place. I was just praying for this to be a place where hatchets are buried, where friendships are forged, where all relationships are renewed. This is going to be a place where people can find peace. It is definitely a business. Karen and I have done business all over the country. That is the funny thing. I have lived here, but I have never done business here. I don’t even know who the local people are. We are not political, we love everybody. When you come into this place, just know you will be accepted, you will be loved. We want everybody to have an experience.”
Phillips said future customers to The Picker House can expect high-quality food.
“We are fine dining, but we are also extremely casual. Flip flop casual. Every area of this building is going to have its own personality. The bottom floor is going to be closed in with air conditioning and heating. We are adding 23 feet to the back.”
He said up on the second floor they are adding an additional 23 feet of space but it will be open to the air. “You can enjoy the air and the sky, and it will have its own personality.”
Karen Phillips was then introduced by Darin, who said “We have been married for 27 years. She is the sweetest, most hospitable person in this city. This place will take on her personality. She will have the title of owner and she will be here making sure everyone is taken care of.”
Darin then introduced Kelly Head, who will be the Operating Partner for the venture. She opened Taste restaurant in Montgomery about 10 years ago.
“She is the most amazing restauranteur and hospitality manager that we have ever met. When people go to her establishments, they go to see Kelly. We spent a year trying to recruit her.”
Darin said he wants people to expect top notch service and immaculate conditions when the restaurant and bar opens for business.
“This is a bucket list thing for us.”
Darin then introduced Steve Cannon with Cannon and Associates construction, who will be working on the property.
“We have been friends for 40 years,” Darin said.
The Phillips family will also be active in the business.
“My son was pulling up floors this morning. We have to raise the floor. We are taking the wood and will repurpose it. It will be on the bar, or a backsplash, or something.”
In closing, Darren said that generations of Prattville residents have been fed by the Picker House in one way or another.
“What we are trying to build is something that will last for generations after all of us are gone. I want this building to be here feeding people….literally, mentally and spiritually for a long time. That is where we are going.”
Neave then shared one more story, telling the crowd to focus on one of the charred areas in an upper floor window of the building.
He mentioned walking through the Picker House with HPRA board member and structural engineer, Jeremy Day. “It was hot and muggy, and I needed Jeremy to give us an honest assessment as to whether the building was going to fall down.”
Neave recounted how Day, who himself is a volunteer firefighter, told of how other members of his volunteer fire department stood at the window through the night, tasked with keeping the Gurney Fire away from the Picker House. “So, that is a personal connection. This isn’t just a building. It is a part of downtown.” Neave said.
Neave believes that with everyone who has invested time and energy into the preservation, the business will survive for a long time and serve many more people.
Ground was then broken, with several groups for photos. The fun then moved to The Mill Apartments for a reception with music, excellent finger food and libations.
So, much like the phoenix from the flames, the Picker House will take on new life in the very near future and will be an incremental part of history preserved for generations to come.
Some photos also contributed by Prattville historian Tommy Brown
More about the Picker House history, courtesy of local historian Tommy Brown
Brown explains that the Picker House was the first step in transforming cotton into woven cloth. Workers would unpack the bales and remove debris and then feed the raw cotton into a breaker lapper which beat and threw out the cotton fibers. The Picker House was separated from the main textile factory to reduce the risk of fire from cotton dust and debris. This building was later converted into office space, and the buildings located beside the Picker House were lost in the 2002 fire. However, the Picker House was saved during “a very long night by Prattville and other community fire departments,” according to Brown.
