An 11-year-old Brown County-based restaurant chain will soon have their its eighth location in the Taylorsville/Edinburgh area.
Big Woods Craft Food, Beer and Spirits will open a 4,000 square-foot facility Sept. 28 in the Indiana Premium Outlet Mall, next to Tommy Hilfiger and Vera Bradly, company officials said.
Up to 80 employees are expected to be hired that include cooks, prep cooks, servers, hosts, bartenders and bussers.
Besides three existing facilities in Brown County, Big Woods has other restaurants in Speedway, Bloomington, Franklin and Noblesville, chain co-founder and executive chairman Jeff McCabe said.
In addition to the Indiana Premium Outlet Mall, Big Woods will also be opening restaurants soon in West Lafayette and Westfield, McCabe said.
Opening new restaurants during a pandemic that has already forced many eateries to either close or greatly limit business may not seem like a good business decision to some. But McCabe said he and his staff see things differently.
"We feel it’s a great time to see what’s available and put some new stakes in the ground," McCabe said. "We’re confident in both the economy and the restaurant business."
Even though Big Woods has indoor seating limitations, McCabe says all current locations are doing well, due in part to outdoor seating and covered porches.
The location’s proximity to Interstate 65, as well as the popularity of the mall, was another significant reason why the Indiana Premium Outlet Mall was chosen, McCabe said.
Capable of seating up to 120 guests, the full service dining area will include both family-friendly seating and a bar for those age 21 and over. For those staying in nearby hotels, carryout and delivery options will be available.
Big Woods will also offer a full slate of adult beverages manufactured through sister companies in Brown County that include the Quaff ON! Brewing Co. and the Hard Truth Distilling Co.
While McCabe says he has no inside information, he add that many business people, including himself, believe the situation with COVID-19 is improving in this area of Indiana.
"I’m very supportive of all the steps Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has taken to help lead us through this crisis," McCabe said. "But I suspect that as we reach the data points established by the state, we all will be getting back to normal."
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For more information about Big Woods Craft Food, Beer and Spirits, as well as details concerning employment, go online to bigwoodsrestaurants.com.
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