Big Mike’s Steakhouse to open downtown Millbrook, creating 35–40 jobs

The City of Millbrook announced on January 12 that Big Mike’s Steakhouse will open a new downtown location at 3251 Main Street on January 14. The restaurant will operate Tuesday through Saturday, opening for service at 4:00 p.m., and is expected to create about 35–40 full- and part-time positions. City leaders say the arrival is part of a broader downtown revitalization strategy designed to increase foot traffic and private investment in the city’s commercial core.

Local officials framed the restaurant as an anchor for evening activity. Millbrook’s Economic Development Director made the announcement, and Mayor Al Kelley described the selection as a vote of confidence in the city’s direction. Owner Mike Cole cited Millbrook’s character and growth as key reasons for choosing the location. The new restaurant’s weekday-evening schedule is likely to shift downtown activity toward later hours, with implications for retail, services, and public safety planning.

From a jobs perspective, adding 35–40 positions to a small downtown economy is significant. Restaurants typically generate a mix of entry-level and managerial roles, offering opportunities for youth employment, supplementary income, and career pathways in hospitality. The mix of full- and part-time work will matter for household incomes and for the local labor market, which can absorb seasonal and part-time hours more flexibly than some other sectors.

Economically, the presence of a destination restaurant often produces spillover effects. Increased evening foot traffic can raise sales for nearby retailers, boost parking demand, and strengthen the case for further private investment in storefront improvements and new services. For municipal finances, more taxable sales in the downtown core can incrementally increase local sales tax revenues and help justify public spending on streetscaping, lighting, and safety measures.

Policy choices will shape whether this opening translates into durable downtown growth. Coordinated parking management, pedestrian safety measures, and targeted marketing by the city and the downtown business community can amplify benefits. Supporting workforce training and clear pathways into hospitality jobs will help residents capture the employment gains the restaurant creates.

The Millbrook location is the latest move in local efforts to rebuild Main Street vibrancy. For residents, the immediate benefits are practical: more dining options, new job openings, and a livelier evening scene. Our two cents? Treat opening week like a neighborhood welcome—stop by if you can, keep an eye on parking and pedestrian flow, and if you’re job hunting, ask about positions and schedules. Small steps like these help turn a single new restaurant into a stronger downtown for everyone.