By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alumni Properties announced several of the restaurants that will be located in the upcoming Shoppes at District 31 development in Alabaster—including many long awaited and much-requested chains such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Chipotle, CAVA and more—during an Alabaster City Council meeting on Monday, June 10.

Shoppes at District 31 will be the first phase of the larger District 31 shopping center which is planned to be located on U.S. 31 off of Exit 238 in Alabaster. When finished, the $242 million District 31 shopping center project is planned to bring 600,000 square feet of new retail, restaurants and hotel space to the city.

“It’s something that our community has been clamoring for—additional restaurants (and) places to eat,” Alabaster Mayor Scott Brakefield said. “(We are) super excited about that.”

The Shoppes at District 31 will be fronted by four buildings that will be visible to passersby traveling down U.S. 31 and will be located where the current Cannon Quik Stop gas station is near Whataburger and the Shelby County Instructional Services Center.

The Shoppes at District 31 will feature 13-14 restaurants and retailers, including Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Tropical Smoothie Café, CAVA, Chipotle, Aspen Dental and more to be announced in the future.

During a presentation, Alumni Properties Managing Partner and CEO Keith Owens provided a peek at the businesses that will be located at the Shoppes at District 31, including the following retailers and restaurants:

• National full-service breakfast
• National Mexican grill
• National dental office
• National Mediterranean
• National burger chain
• National deli/bakery
• Regional bakery/cake store
• Regional smoothie and juice bar
• Regional sushi and hibachi
• Regional sports and burger bar

The development is expected to be the source of a significant amount of annual sales tax for the city of Alabaster with a projected first year sales tax of $18 million. The development will also create numerous full-time and part-time positions for residents in the city and the surrounding communities.

“We’re super excited that we’re going to be able to offer a lot of employment for our teenagers,” Brakefield said. “A lot of college-aged kids are looking for restaurants and stores to work at, so being able to provide that here is going to be nice.”

The Shoppes at District 31 will also create infrastructure improvements on U.S. 31 with plans for an additional turn lane from the existing Shell gas station and a new connection point for the Shelby County Instructional Services Center.

During the meeting, Alumni Properties also provided an update to the Alabaster City Council on the status of the District 31 shopping center and confirmed that Hobby Lobby and Shoe Station have signed lease agreements with more to be announced in the future.

Additionally, the Alabaster City Council approved an economic development agreement between the city and the Shoppes of District 31 during the meeting.

More information on the District 31 development and its featured restaurants and retailers will be announced in the future.