At a time when many restaurants were closed or limited in capacity in Alabama because of the Covid-19 pandemic, restauranteurs were placing bets on a nearly vacant, dilapidated shopping center in South Huntsville.

Those gambles three years ago are beginning to pay off. With the exception of a lone tenant – Staples – the old shopping center was demolished by Atlanta-based developer Branch Properties.

A new one – 110,000-square foot Market at Hays Farm – has risen in its place and is at “the tip of spear” for the sprawling Hays Farm development, according to Brett Horowitz, partner at Branch Properties.

Hays Farm, when completed will include hundreds of homes, townhomes and multifamily units. The residential component is being built in phases by other developers.

Amerigo, a family-style Italian restaurant, and Rock ‘N Roll Sushi are already open in the shopping center that also includes a Publix. Tom Brown’s Restaurant – which has a Madison location – will open in the next two months.