By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— Red Zone Bar and Grill, currently located 209 Supercenter Drive in Calera, is closing Feb. 12 to move into a new location. The restaurant is taking over the old Uncle Sam’s Barbecue building, at 4979 U.S. 31, and is revamping the Red Zone atmosphere.

Jamie Storey and Todd Bowen are the owners, and Storey said they are making Red Zone a more family friendly place with a larger menu—including a kids’ menu— and a smoke-free environment.

“I want the little league football and baseball leagues to come here,” Storey said. “It’s easier to make a change when you move as well, when you change concepts.”

Guests won’t find the pool tables or bands that were part of Red Zone’s old identity, but Storey said they are adding 17 new TVs to their store. He explained that the restaurant will be more like a Buffalo Wild Wings.

They will have a covered outdoor patio with TVs hung up, and Storey said smoking will be allowed outside.

The atmosphere isn’t the only thing getting a makeover. Storey said they are adding new draft and craft beers, as well as some new menu items.

“We’ll still have a lot of the same favorites, but we are going to add some steaks, some barbecue, meat-and-threes for lunch (and more),” Storey said.

Knowing that it’s better to own a property than rent, Storey said he jumped at the opportunity to purchase the Uncle Sam’s location when it came available. It worked out well with the new vision he and Bowen had for the restaurant.

The current location closes Feb. 12 and Storey said they hope to have the new location open by mid-March.

“Hopefully we can feed everybody in Calera,” he said. “Hopefully (we’re) slam-packed everyday.”