Rumors Deli owner Annette Harris cuts the ribbon to mark the restaurant’s official grand re-opening at 601 Fourth St. SW on Thursday, April 5, 2018. / W.C. Mann for The Tribune
CULLMAN – On Thursday morning, Rumors Deli officially completed its move from the Warehouse District with a ribbon cutting at its new location at 601 Fourth St. SW, at the intersection of Main Avenue and US Highway 278. The 18-year old Cullman eatery now occupies the former Nearen Construction office in a historic one-time mercantile store, many elements of which were preserved in the remodeling of the facility.
“There’s a lot of history in the building,” said Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President Leah Bolin. “We always appreciate any business who comes in and takes care of all of our well-loved buildings and revitalizes them.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs told owner Annette Harris and her staff, “We look forward to y’all being over here. Cullman’s seen some growth, more growth over on this side, and we appreciate y’all stepping out.”
Harris thanked Nearen Construction for the facility and its renovation, Cisco Systems for its help in the set up and stocking of the kitchen and the Chamber of Commerce for its support and advice. She also offered special recognition to her employees, who stayed loyal to Rumors despite a five-week layoff during the move.
“I’m excited,” said Harris, “and I’m proud to have them. Then we’ve got about five more new employees, and so we hope to keep adding to the workforce here.”
Rumors had already been up and running for three full days prior to its official grand opening on Thursday. On Wednesday, Harris posted photos on social media of a line stretching all the way through the dining area and out the front door.
After the ribbon cutting, she told The Tribune, “The first day was good, kind of quiet, but it was steady. The second day was crazy, and we worked out some more kinks. Yesterday was absolutely wild, and we loved it! (The line) went out the door for two hours. Packed it out; I loved it!
Harris continued, “It’s a beautiful building. I love every minute of it. I love this building; every time I come in, I love it more. It’s got such character, and we hope to keep it to where people can remember how it used to be, and we tried to keep as much of that as we could.”
Pointing to the east wall with its original shelving units, she added that she has future plans to offer locally-made goods such as homemade candies, honey, soap and other items that will allow visitors to take a little Cullman home with them.
Concluded Harris, “The community has been amazing. My friends, they’ve been amazing. I’ve got so many people surrounding me, supporting me, giving me positive thoughts all the time. So, it’s meant to be; it’s a good thing.”
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