Hazel’s Nook has been filling the hungry mouth in Gulf Shores since 1957, so when it was announced that the restaurant would close, the chatter on social media erupted.
But there is no …
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Hazel’s Nook has been filling hungry mouths in Gulf Shores since 1957, so when it was announced that the restaurant would close, the chatter on social media erupted.
But there is no need to worry because Hazel’s doors won’t be locked for long.
Orange Beach’s Duck’s Diner is expanding its reach to Gulf Shores. Garrett Spence, co-owner of Duck’s Diner, is purchasing Hazel’s Nook from owner Richard Schwartz. The deal is set to close Monday, July 15.
Spence’s mother, Michelle Deerman, purchased Duck’s Diner from its original owners, and he joined the business after he graduated from Troy University in 2015. Over the past two years, he has been keeping his eye out for a second location.
“We’ve outgrown this building (in Orange Beach). We just need a place to sell more pancakes,” Spence said. “I heard through the grapevine that Mr. Schwartz was ending Hazel’s, and I got my foot in the door and talked him into selling it to me.”
Those who hate to see an old building get torn down will be happy to hear that the only changes Spence has planned are on the interior.
“It’ll be the same layout. The only thing that will be different is we’re taking the buffet out and we’re having a 16-foot bar top seating area for when we get our liquor license,” Spence explained. “There’s going to be a bar for the locals to come in and sit at that don’t want to wait for a big table. Locals love bars.”
He also said the table layout will be rearranged. In total, he said he thinks 10 seats will be added.
Duck’s Diner is a popular quick-service breakfast and lunch restaurant. The menu features all the breakfast favorites along with a lunch menu of fresh burgers and the Southern standard meat-and-three.
Fans of Duck’s Diner in Orange Beach will feel right at home. Spence said the menu in Gulf Shores will mirror the Orange Beach location with only one exception. The bar menu will not be available until the liquor license for Gulf Shores is secured. He hopes it will come quickly after opening the doors.
And when will the doors open?
“We will do a lot of work on Monday and Tuesday and get it adjusted to our setup,” Spence said. “Hopefully, we will have a soft opening on Wednesday before the sign arrives. We will operate slowly through the week and then have a grand opening probably the following Monday when our sign gets there.”
The staff from Hazel’s Nook will stay on. Spence said he has promoted some staff in Orange Beach to management to oversee daily operations so he can focus on getting Gulf Shores running. He said he is looking forward to growing the Gulf Shores location and keeping locals happy.
“I couldn’t think of a singular better spot to have a breakfast and lunch place,” he said, “than a spot that’s been a successful breakfast and lunch place for 67 years.”
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