CEDAR BLUFF – A large crowd of community leaders, elected officials, business representatives and residents gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for Jefferson’s on Weiss Lake, marking the opening of a new waterfront restaurant that local leaders say fills a long-awaited need while adding another attraction to one of Northeast Alabama’s premier recreational destinations.

Hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, the ceremony officially welcomed Jefferson’s to Cedar Bluff following a week-and-a-half soft opening that has already drawn enthusiastic support from area residents and visitors alike.

https://cherokee-chamber.org/

The restaurant, located at 3440 Alabama Highway 9 North in Cedar Bluff, occupies the former Weiss Lake 360 Bar & Grill location just west of Weiss Mart Marina. The new restaurant combines Jefferson’s well-known menu of wings, burgers, seafood and hand-breaded favorites with one of the area’s few true boat-up dining experiences.

The location is one of only three restaurants on Weiss Lake that allows customers to arrive by boat, providing a unique option for boaters, anglers and families spending the day on the water.

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy Perry welcomed those in attendance and recognized elected officials and special guests before Chamber Member Manager Leann Lockridge addressed the gathering and introduced Cedar Bluff Mayor Bill Warren.

Mayor Warren described the opening as an exciting addition for the town and said bringing Jefferson’s to Cedar Bluff had been months in the making. He explained that work on the project began approximately five months ago and required overcoming numerous challenges before becoming a reality. Warren also recognized members of the Cedar Bluff Town Council and municipal staff who helped make the project possible.

Following the ribbon cutting, WEIS News spoke with co-owners Jake Lund and Robby Coggin, who expressed appreciation for the warm welcome they have received from both the Cedar Bluff community and Cherokee County.

The Weiss Lake location represents the tenth Jefferson’s restaurant the two have opened together. Their ownership group now operates six Alabama locations and four in Northwest Georgia as part of the Jefferson’s franchise system, which includes 38 restaurants primarily throughout the Southeast.

Although this is their tenth restaurant together, both owners say their careers with Jefferson’s began in much different roles.

Lund and Coggin each started as line cooks in Jefferson’s kitchens, gradually working their way through management before eventually becoming franchise owners themselves. They credit that experience with helping them understand every aspect of restaurant operations and building strong relationships with employees.

Coggin also has a personal connection to Cedar Bluff. He lived in the community for approximately three years, directly across from the restaurant’s current location. When he learned the property might become available, he immediately pursued the opportunity.

The project required considerable planning before opening, including resolving parking concerns and preparing the waterfront facilities. Since acquiring the property, the owners have already repaired two of the restaurant’s four docks and plan to renovate the remaining two before the end of the year.

Once completed, the docks will accommodate approximately ten boats at one time, further strengthening Jefferson’s position as a destination for visitors enjoying Weiss Lake.

Even during its soft opening, the owners said they have already witnessed significant boat traffic arriving at the restaurant, reinforcing their belief that a waterfront dining option was needed in the area.

The owners also praised both Cherokee County and the Town of Cedar Bluff as outstanding places to do business, noting they have been impressed with the friendliness and support shown by the community since opening.

They described the Weiss Lake opening as one of the most successful and well-received restaurant launches they have experienced, crediting area residents for making them feel welcome from the very beginning.

Jefferson’s traces its roots back to 1991, when the first location opened near Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. The restaurant originally built its reputation around seafood and chicken wings before expanding its menu over the years to include fresh hand-pattied burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads and Gulf oysters that are shucked fresh daily. Owners say all of the restaurant’s beef is served fresh, never frozen.

In 2018, the Jefferson’s brand was acquired by a corporate ownership group based in Kansas, and the franchise has continued to grow throughout the Southeast while maintaining the neighborhood atmosphere that helped establish its loyal customer base.

Lund and Coggin said the Weiss Lake restaurant fills what they believe has been a need for additional dining options in the Cedar Bluff area. Beyond offering another place for local residents to enjoy a meal, they envision the restaurant becoming a destination for visitors spending the day on Weiss Lake, whether they arrive by vehicle, boat or personal watercraft.

The owners emphasized that their goal extends beyond simply opening another restaurant. They hope to become an active partner within the community by supporting local schools, civic organizations and charitable causes.

Among those efforts will be “give back” fundraising nights, during which participating organizations will receive 20 percent of qualifying sales to help support their programs and projects. The owners also plan to offer community promotions and special events, including incentives such as teacher appreciation meals.

Employment has also become an important part of the restaurant’s early success.

Jefferson’s currently employs between 40 and 50 people at the Cedar Bluff location, with the overwhelming majority hired from Cherokee County and surrounding communities. While several experienced managers were brought in from other Jefferson’s locations to help establish operations, the owners said they found no shortage of qualified local applicants eager to join the team.

They credited their employees as the foundation of the restaurant’s success, explaining that while ownership remains actively involved in daily operations, it is the staff members who create the experience customers enjoy each day.

That philosophy has helped shape the culture throughout their restaurants. The owners noted that more than 70 employees across their locations have remained with the company for at least two years, something they view as a reflection of both their management philosophy and the dedication of their team members.

They also expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by employees who relocated temporarily to Cedar Bluff to assist with training and opening the new location while local staff members gained experience.

As summer reaches its busiest season on Weiss Lake, the owners believe Jefferson’s is well-positioned to become a gathering place for both local residents and visitors. The restaurant features panoramic lake views, lofted ceilings, oversized televisions for sports viewing, a shaded outdoor terrace and ample patio seating overlooking the water.

The combination of waterfront dining, family-friendly service and convenient boat access is expected to make the location especially popular with boaters, anglers and families looking to spend the day on Weiss Lake before stopping for lunch or dinner.

The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Jefferson’s on Weiss Lake is located at 3440 Alabama Highway 9 North in Cedar Bluff. Additional information is available by calling 256-947-1037, by visiting Jeffersons.com and selecting the Weiss Lake location, or by following Jefferson’s Weiss Lake on Facebook for specials, events and updates.

https://jeffersons.com/weiss-lake-al/

Thursday’s ribbon cutting represented more than the opening of a new restaurant. Community leaders said it marked another investment in Cedar Bluff’s continued growth while enhancing Weiss Lake’s reputation as one of the South’s premier destinations for boating, fishing, recreation and waterfront dining.