By Erik Harris
CLAY – McEnally’s Mercantile, a hardware store on Old Springville Road in Clay, has closed its doors for business.
The sign that stands in front of Kim Steffey’s businesses on Old Springville Rd. in Clay. photo by Erik Harris
The Clay City Council approved Mercantile’s owner Kim Steffey to open a restaurant that offers on-site alcohol sales last month. The restaurant, which is expected to be preparing for its grand opening, was expected to sit one door down from the hardware store.
The unexpected closing of McEnally’s leaves customers wondering if the new restaurant – Cahaba Oaks Café – will still move forward with its operations. A sign that sits outside of the café reads, “Coming soon, Cahaba Oaks Bar and Grill.”
Also, a letter has been taped to the front door of McEnally’s that reads, “We are sad to announce McEnally’s Mercantile is closed for business. To all of you that have loved and supported the store, we can’t thank you enough. Keep an eye out for Cahaba Oaks Café Bar & Grill to be open!”
Efforts to contact Mercantile ownership was unsuccessful. Clay City Manager Ronnie Dixon said at Monday’s Clay City Council Meeting that he has been unable to learn the status of the restaurant.
The store, located at 6842 Old Springville Road, will be conducting a liquidation sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lee Weyhrich contributed to this story.
