By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— After several months of renovations, Red Zone Bar and Grill has officially opened in its new location: The old Uncle Sam’s Barbecue building at 4979 U.S. 31.

Co-owners, Jamie Storey and Todd Bowen, held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting May 23 to celebrate the changes to the bar and grill.

“Everybody is loving it,” Storey said. “Everybody is showing us support, is excited we are open and excited about the new look.”

The original location, at 209 Supercenter Drive in Calera, closed Feb. 12 to being the transition. Storey said the atmosphere of the new Red Zone is more family friendly 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.”

At the new location, guests won’t find the pool tables or bands that were part of Red Zone’s old identity. They will see about 17 new TVs, creating a sports bar and grill environment.

The new covered outdoor patio, will also feature new TVs, and Storey said smoking is allowed outside.

The atmosphere wasn’t the revamping Storey and Bowen did. Storey said Red Zone now features new draft and craft beers, as well as some new menu items, such as steaks, barbecue, meat-and-threes and more.

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.

“We’re extremely excited to serve our community, serve good food and give them a good restaurant to choose from,” Storey said.