Locally owned restaurant Stubby's BBQ is preparing to expand this year with a second location inside Magic Springs Theme & Water Park, though it won't be ready as early as was anticipated.
A news release sent to The Sentinel-Record on Monday by Magic Springs' marketing company incorrectly stated that the new location would open for business on Saturday. Stubby's proprietor Chris Dunkel said Wednesday that the restaurant is "opening very soon, but it just won't be this weekend."
"We're still renovating the restaurant, so we're getting close, but we're not there yet," Dunkel said, adding that the in-park location should be ready to open its doors within the next couple of weeks.
Dunkel said the need to evaluate and repair some of the park's restaurant equipment is part of what set back the opening date. Stubby's will take the place of Smoke On the Water, the barbecue restaurant formerly located inside the park.
"We just want to be sure that once we do open, everything is operating normally and we don't have any failures," Dunkel said.
Of his new partnership with Magic Springs, he said, "They've been absolutely awesome to work with and they've been so helpful. We're very excited to be out there and be part of their family."
The new location will offer a variety of Stubby's trademark items, boasting a simplified version of its current menu.
Local on 04/19/2018