An amenity clamored for Valley Grande citizens moved one step closer to completion during Monday’s Valley Grande City Council meeting.

Valley Grande Mayor Tom Lee requested a motion from the council that would put the council’s stamp of approval on a beer and wine on-site premises license for the Chuckwagon Steakhouse restaurant that is expected to open the second week of June in the Valley Grande shopping center.

“One of the requirements in the 14-page application is a letter from the local governing body approving the application,” said Lee. “The city does not issue a license, but it has to have the city’s approval.”

The motion was made and passed unanimously.

Though the council approved the restaurant for a beer and wine license, Lee made it clear that alcohol sales will take a back seat to the family-friendly atmosphere he wants. There are no plans to install a bar or sell hard liquor. The permit is limited to beer and wine only.

Lee, who owns the shopping center in addition to the new restaurant, said that one of the things most asked for by Valley Grande residents is a nice, upscale restaurant. With a vacant space in the shopping center, Lee believed he had the perfect situation to meet the request.

“It’s a little bit different than what you normally see,” said Lee. “It’s a western-themed restaurant, with a lot of western memorabilia. I just think people are going to be pleased with the environment.”

One draw Lee saw in the new venture was an opportunity to give Dallas County residents another “night out” option over traveling to Prattville or Montgomery, leading to money that would otherwise be spent elsewhere remaining in the county.

“We’re really hoping that if it’s as successful as we hope, that this could be in the top three tax producers for the city,” Lee said.