Hartselle Huddle House reopens under new management
After a six-month closure, the Hartselle Huddle House is back in business under new management.
Owner Anthony Ricks has been a Hartselle resident all his life. A former employee of the sheriff’s department, Ricks is familiar with the area and its people. When he learned that Huddle House was no longer in business in Hartselle, he was both disappointed to see the restaurant close and inspired to make it his mission to save it. “Hartselle has always had a Huddle House,” Ricks reminisced. “I remember for years that after a certain time of night, Huddle House was the only place people could go. Hartselle needs Huddle House.” The restaurant’s location, just off I-65, invites travelers to come in for a hot meal and friendly conversation. Ricks believes that welcoming travelers and locals into the newly refurbished restaurant is a way that he can help make Hartselle a better place to live. I know the restaurant had gone downhill prior to closing.
“I want people to see that it’s different now,” he said. The resurrection of the Hartselle restaurant has been a project that has involved many of Rick’s family members helping with making repairs, sanding and hand painting light fixtures, deep cleaning, refreshing the paint on walls and doors and reupholstering the seating. “I want people to notice that everything is clean, bright and in good repair. I want it to be obvious to people that Huddle House in Hartselle is under new ownership and management.” Rick has invested a lot of ‘sweat equity’ in bringing the restaurant to life. Doing the work himself has been challenging but has been a labor of love.
Rick explained store hours of 6 a.m. until 10 p.m daily are dictated by the franchise’s corporate leadership, but that he has a goal of obtaining permission to return to 24/7 operation within a year. He also expects to be able to bring back some menu items, like chili, milkshakes and crispy chicken sandwiches which he enjoyed in years past.
“I have good memories of going to Huddle House through the years. I want my kids to have those memories,” Ricks said. “I also want to be able to leave my kids with a thriving business that they will be able to continue after I’m gone.” Huddle House is located 1802 Main St. E., Hartselle.
