SpringHouse Restaurant Set to Reopen After Eight-Month Hiatus Following Devastating Fire

After being closed for eight months due to a severe fire, SpringHouse restaurant at Russell Crossroads, Alabama, is ready to welcome guests back for dinner service starting Wednesday, August 14th.

"Returning to our home base feels incredible," said Pete McKenney, the executive chef and general manager of SpringHouse. "The entire team is buzzing with excitement."

During the closure, McKenney and his dedicated staff continued to serve the beloved SpringHouse menu, complete with all the signature elements—from white tablecloths to the distinctive silverware—at the nearby Fanny Goldmine Diner. This temporary arrangement, though not the same as dining at SpringHouse, provided a sense of continuity for their loyal patrons.

"We received an outpouring of gratitude from our customers," said Roger Holliday, vice president of Russell Lands, the parent company of both properties. "The food was excellent, but the ambiance just wasn’t the same. Everyone, from staff to customers, is eager to return."

SpringHouse had been undergoing extensive repairs since a chimney fire on December 23rd last year spread into the attic, complicating firefighting efforts. Fire departments from Alexander City and surrounding communities responded, using nearly a million gallons of water to bring the blaze under control.

"The fire didn’t damage the structural beams, but the water did extensive damage," Holliday explained. "If it had been just fire damage, we could have reopened within two months. But the water damage required a complete overhaul."

The restoration involved replacing the roof, interior walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture, though many of the restaurant’s cherished photographs were saved. Despite these extensive repairs, Holliday assures that the restaurant will look almost identical to how it did before the fire.

SpringHouse, a 144-seat establishment known for its progressive Southern cuisine with a focus on wood-fired meats and seasonal produce, has been a cornerstone of the Russell Crossroads development since its opening in 2009. In 2014, it was named one of Southern Living magazine’s “100 Best Restaurants in the South.”

The restaurant’s founding executive chef, Rob McDaniel, earned a James Beard Award semifinalist spot for Best Chef: South five times during his tenure before leaving to open his own restaurant, Helen, in downtown Birmingham in 2020. McKenney, who took over as executive chef in 2021, has brought his extensive culinary experience from across the country back to Lake Martin.

As the reopening approaches, many of SpringHouse’s longtime patrons have already secured their reservations, eager to return to their favorite dining spot.

"When we finalized the reopening date, we immediately reached out to our regulars," Holliday said. "These are folks who dine here every weekend, and they couldn’t be more thrilled to come back."

The team at SpringHouse, who have been working tirelessly to prepare the restaurant for its grand reopening, share that enthusiasm.

"They’re energized and ready to go," Holliday added. "It’s been a long road, but everyone is eager to be back in the place they love."