The Brundidge City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the request for a restaurant retail liquor license for Collier’s on Main and also unanimously approved a resolution to accept a $56,249 settlement for oil spill losses to the city due to BP’s oil spill in 2010.

Chuck Caraway represented South Wind-Brundidge, LOC, at the city council meeting and gave the council an overview of the plans for Collier’s on Main, a downtown restaurant.

“Brundidge was originally named Collier’s Store so we wanted to pay tribute to the town’s history,” Caraway said. “Plans are to open Collier’s on Main around Labor Day. The restaurant will serve lunch Monday through Saturday with a pick-up lunch for those who have short lunch breaks and nights Thursday through Saturday.”

Caraway said both lunch and dinner menus will include meats-and-three, soups and salads. The night menu will feature steak and seafood.

“Collier’s on Main will not be a huge restaurant, seating about 90, but we’ll have good food and some signature items on the menu. We’ll have patio dining out back for those who enjoy that type dining.”

Caraway said Collier’s on Main will hopefully bring people to town for a unique dining experience as well as provide a place for the lunch crowd.

Caraway, owner and president of Southern Classic Foods in Brundidge, said his idea for the restaurant was to do something to benefit the community and not lose a lot of money doing it.

Council Members Cynthia Pearson and Margaret Ross applauded Caraway for his commitment to community.

“We know Chuck Caraway, and we know he is committed to helping make Brundidge a better place by providing jobs and opportunities for our people,” Pearson said. “We thank him for making this additional investment in Brundidge.  An upscale restaurant will bring people to town and give us a chance to show others what Brundidge has to offer.”

Ross agreed that Collier’s on Main would be a novel idea for Brundidge.

“We’ve not had a restaurant that catered to those who enjoy the atmosphere of a upscale restaurant,” Ross said. “Chuck has made a great investment in Brundidge and we are certainly behind his efforts to make Brundidge a better place for those of us who live here and a great place to visit.

“I never thought that Brundidge would have a restaurant that served steak and wine on the patio. Collier’s on Main will be a good thing for Brundidge. We have a lot of good things going on. It’s an exciting time for downtown Brundidge.”

Caraway also told the council that Collier’s on Main would house three retail shops. Plans are for apartments on the second floor of the building. The South Wind-Brundidge venture will also include an entertainment venue for receptions and parties at an adjoining location.

And, for Brundidge Tuesday was Christmas in July with the announcement the city will receive more than $50,000 in the settlement from BP over oil spill loses.

The $18.7 billion settlement was announced Thursday with five states, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas receiving settlements for environmental and economic damage done by BP’s oil spill in 2010.

Brundidge City Manager Britt Thomas said the city’s loss was due to a reduction in beach traffic along U.S. Highway 231.

With the legal fees involved in the settlement at 25 percent, Thomas said the city will net about $42,000 and could receive the money around July 16.

The council discussed the bids received for Effluent Pumping Improvements the city hoped to make to the city water system.  The bids came in much higher than expected. Thomas said, after discussion with the Alabama Department of Environment Management, the city had the option of rejecting those bids and changing the scope of the project for three new pumps for the stations rather than the much more costly variable frequency devices.

In other business, the council approved a resolution to put a lien in the amount of $150 on property at 177 S.A. Graham Blvd. for the city’s cost of cutting the weeds on the property.

The Brundidge City Council meets at 4 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to public.