Brownwood’s newest restaurant, McAlister’s Deli, hosted a welcoming lunch event for VIPs on Friday November 4th with a buffet-style service featuring several of the deli’s popular menu items.

McAlister’s will host a “Friends and Family” lunch on Saturday, November 5th, serving lunch to friends and family of employees working at the new restaurant. McAlister’s Deli, located at 414 East Commerce Street, is scheduled to open to the public on Monday, November 7th.

Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Emily Crawford, and Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ray Tipton began working strategically to bring new retail businesses to Brownwood in 2011.

The trio met a developer in 2012 who acquired the Value Lodge to open the new deli. The Value Lodge, once located next to Skillet’s Restaurant, was demolished in order to make room for the newly developed retail center called “The Shoppes at Pecan Bayou.” The retail spot will feature McAlister’s Deli, the new Cotton Patch Cafe, as well as other retail stores to be added to the estimated 18,000 square feet of retail space, built by Leeco of Odessa, Texas.