Locals Take Over Albertville’s Main Street

A new venue has joined Albertville's popular bar scene on Main Street. The new Neighbors Eatery and Saloon opened its doors a month ago, following three months of remodeling the former Full Moon Saloon location.

Co-owners Joe Holtz and Joe Stafsholt came across this business opportunity when Holtz saw the "For Sale" sign while driving a truck in the summer's Albertville Friendly City Days parade. Holtz, a car salesman, contacted his friend and former co-worker to see if he'd be interested in teaming up on a new venture. Holtz and Stafsholt bought the foreclosed property Sept. 2, and started remodeling even before they had officially taken ownership. Holtz said pretty much everything was gutted and redone, including new hardwood flooring, new walls, new roof and a new ceiling.

"They had let [the building] get pretty run down," Holtz said of the former owners.

The look is also different from the former bar, with artist Jody Hanscom enhancing the Western-style space with a large wall mural to complement the other country theme.

Along with the new look, Stafsholt said the community can expect a cleaner, more family-style business. They are adding a full menu and will even serve breakfast Friday through Sunday mornings from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Many of their menu items are homemade, including the coleslaw, soups, barbeque sauce and horseradish.

For the bar, Holtz said Neighbors has different happy hour specials Monday through Saturday, live music on Friday nights and DJs on Saturday nights. They will host events such as poker tournaments.

One recent weekend featured the Tim Mahoney Band in a benefit concert for the St. Michael-Albertville United Soccer Club.

"I loved the new eatery–the renovations were like a whole new place," said Mahoney, a local musician familiar with the space.  "My concert was a blast; they were packed in there."

"We want to be a part of the community, do a good job and have a nice, clean place," Holtz added.

Neighbors Eatery and Saloon will be celebrating its opening with events Jan. 20 to 22, 2011. Look for details on their Facebook page or at neighborseateryandsaloon.com.