Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Local leaders gathered with Huddle House representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at a newly-opened location in Selma at 1376 Highland Ave.

Brad Remington, a regional manager for Huddle House, said the restaurant, which serves breakfast all-day as well as a variety of dinner platters and appetizers,

“Just looking at the geographical area, there’s not a lot of sit-down, fuller-serve – minus the alcohol – stores,” Remington said. “This corner became available, and we decided this would be a great spot for a Huddle House … Being right here on the corner with lots of traffic, hopefully, people will feel like it’s a hometown store.”

Remington said the location would be open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

He added he hopes the store is a good match for the community.

“Selma’s pretty historic,” Remington said. “Just the history of the South and the history of Huddle House in the South I think meshes well with what we have to offer, which is comfort food to local residents who are used to comfort food.”

Remington said the local leaders within the city and county were accommodating and helpful in bringing the franchise here.

“From Day One, they’ve been absolutely tremendous,” he said. “From when we approached them about the real estate and what we wanted to do here, they were, you know, ‘Heck yes. We want you here. You’d be a great fit for our community.’ I think if it was a newer chain, they might have been leery because of all the fast-food chains that are along here, but being more of a Southern hospitality entity, I think it fit right in here.”

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. was out of town and could not attend the ceremony, but he offered comments on the opening via email.

“The City is very happy to welcome the Huddle House to our community and are fortunate for their expansion into the Selma market,” We expect the new restaurant to play an important role in the local economy with hopes of becoming a popular gathering spot for local families and visitors embracing the delicious Southern style breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.”

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said the franchise brings in 60 jobs to the community.

“That 60 employees are a great impact on Dallas County,” he said. “It’s not just affecting the 60 employees, but it’s affecting their families also … The impact is much greater than 60 employees.”

Nunn added Huddle House provides everyone who passes through Selma with another food option.

“You cannot have too many eateries,” he said. “People’s taste buds are different, so that gives us an opportunity to have another place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner.”