GULF SHORES, Ala. - It's official.

After rumors and speculation of a new restaurant in the Gulf Shores Waterway Villiage District, city officials and Acme CEO Lucian Gunter announced Acme Oyster House's newest location will be in Gulf Shores. 

“We are excited to welcome Acme Oyster House as the first addition to Waterway Village,” said Craft. “Acme exemplifies the type of partner we are looking for. Their team has shown an unwavering commitment to Gulf Shores and to this project and we couldn’t be happier to have them.”

The Acme Oyster House® restaurant concept began in 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana and enjoys the distinction as one of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans. In addition to many seafood offerings, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Acme Oyster House concept is the offering of fresh, and-shucked raw and chargrilled Louisiana oysters.

Plans for the Gulf Shores location include 8,450 square foot of interior space; 3,650 square feet of exterior covered space and seating for approximately 450 guests. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner seven days a week and hopes to open its doors by spring 2014 bringing approximately 100 jobs to the area.

As more details for Waterway Village were announced, Craft expressed how important it is for Gulf Shores to take advantage of its waterways and economic opportunities “off the beach”.

“Our community has been through significant adversity and this administration has made a commitment to helping spearhead the creation of diversified economic opportunities for Gulf Shores,” said Craft. “Waterway Village is the first step in that process and we look forward to putting the assets in place to help create something very special in this area.”

The City will immediately begin laying the foundation for Waterway Village by constructing a 215 space public parking area, implementing streetscape improvements along East 24th Avenue and East 2nd Street including the addition of 50-60 on-street parking spaces, sidewalks, landscaping, decorative lighting and street furniture throughout the area.

Officials hope to have this first phase of construction completed by January 2014, while plans call for the addition of a waterfront boardwalk and a regional storm water plan to be implemented soon after. The improvements to the area will be funded by two BP marketing grants totaling $1 million.

With local restaurants LuLu’s, Tacky Jacks and Rhythm & Ribs already in place, the addition of Acme Oyster House leaves Gulf Shores leaders understandably excited about the potential of Waterway Village.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to attract a prominent restaurant like Acme Oyster House® to our community,” expressed Craft. “Their commitment confirms our vision for Waterway Village and we believe it will serve as a catalyst moving forward as we look to attract other partners.”

In addition, Craft expressed sincere appreciation to several funding and research partners who helped bring Waterway Village from a vision to a reality.

“Today would not be possible without the partnerships of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the BP Seafood and Tourism Grant program, the Alabama-Mississippi Sea Grant, and the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center,” Craft continued. “I can’t express how grateful we are for the incredible support these groups have given us throughout the development of this project.”

According to Acme Oyster House® Director of Business Development, Jeremy DeBlieux, the City’s vision behind Waterway Village served as a major selling point in their decision to bring the restaurant to Gulf Shores.

“We have locations in Louisiana and Destin and knew we wanted something in between. Once we visited Gulf Shores and heard the vision behind Waterway Village, we fell in love,” said DeBlieux. “This area will become an entertainment and dining destination and that’s the business we’re in.”