Lunch At Willow Point, Lake Martin
A couple of Sundays ago found us at Willow Point eating lunch to celebrate my Mom’s birthday. We ate lunch in the Willow Point Clubhouse, which overlooks the golf course, and of course, Lake Martin. I had my camera with me, and it was such a beautiful day, I thought to take a few photos.
Why do most Lake Martin lovers wait until Memorial Day to come to the lake? Beats me. Springtime has great weather – plenty of sun and temps in the low 70s. What a beautiful day. Enjoy:
Willow Point’s 18th green:
Willow Point’s Driving Range:
The tee box on number 10, one of the holes that play along Lake Martin:
Willow Point Villas (available for rent by members):
The Pool & Cabana:
Lake Martin Water Up, Business Is Hopping
This is not a news flash: Lake Martin’s water level is back!
It’s hard to believe, but in the 5 short weeks since I wrote this post about the water hitting 480, Lake Martin stands inches away from its highest possible mark of 490. All of the nay sayers have been proved wrong. Many (myself included) wondered if it would take more than one summer to recover from the worst drought recorded in 80 years. The next time we have a rain shortage, I hope we remember how fast it bounced back.
How has it affected businesses around the lake?
Real Estate
I have been extremely busy in the last month especially. I have picked up all sorts of new waterfront listings. I have been running all over the lake taking pictures and shooting video tours. Buyers are calling again. Turns out, my phone does work! It’s a good feeling. I am no exception, many other Lake Martin realtors tell me the same thing.
All agent fluffery aside, 2008 will prove a great time to buy property on Lake Martin. There is still a lot of inventory out there from the doldrums of 2007. Sellers have reduced prices and (if they’re smart) are still eager to sell. Interest rates are down, so conditions are still very favorable for buyers.
Retail
JT Voltz at Blue Creek Marina tells me that they are “covered up” in work already. Their staff is back full steam and looking forward to a better summer.
I spoke to Oskar (of Oskar’s) this morning and she said that their business has bounced back as well. They are ready to forget 2007 and are looking back to 2006 to plan for their restaurant traffic this summer.
Early season success has not been limited to the Dadeville side of Lake Martin. Green Valley Market and Cafe tells me that last weekend they served about as many meals as they ever have. They opened in 2007, so they anticipate to easily break their own records of catering and restaurant business this summer.
David Naile of Nail’s Convenience Store in downtown Kowaliga says that the last couple of weekends’ nice weather has shown a spike in gasoline and c-store sales. Naile confirmed that he is planning to expand his offerings inside the store to accommodate the higher traffic.
New Lake Martin Lunch Spot: Green Valley Market & Cafe
Lake Martin has another great dining choice! The Green Valley Market and Cafe is now open.
The Green Valley Market is located in the Eclectic or Kowaliga area of Lake Martin, next to the Kudzu Corner. They are located on Highway 229 about halfway between where 229 intersects highway 50 at Castaway Island Road, and where 229 intersects highway 63 (aka Kowaliga Road) in downtown Kowaliga.
The Green Valley Market and Cafe sells sandwiches, and offers a good assortment of meat at their meat counter. If you need a lot
of food for your Fourth of July party, you may want to ask them about their catering. One of the newer trends on Lake Martin is selling ready to eat casseroles and such for people who don’t want to cook yet would like some home cookin. They sell a lot of the warm up and eat type of fare, which I am sure is very good. They also sell boutique looking spices, and little gifts, etc.
I have tried just about every sandwich they make, and I must say, I am pleasantly surprised. They serve the sandwiches with sides like potato salad or pasta salad, but my favorite is the black bean salad. Usually a lunch menu on the fru fru side does not do much for me, but their sandwiches taste really good. They use good quality meat and give generous portions. It is a great choice if you are looking for something other than fried foods.
Check them out! I recommend them heartily and wish them the best. Their phone is (334)857-3663. Street address is 2415 Red Hill Road, Eclectic, Alabama, 36024.
Related post: Four Great Lunch Meals Around Lake Martin
4 Great Lunch Meals Around Lake Martin
It’s lunchtime on Lake Martin - where should we eat? When I was growing up on Lake Martin, there weren’t many restaurants around the Lake, much less on the water. Families had to pack their on provisions and make do. You drove to the cabin, unpacked everything, and lived on ribbon sandwiches, chicken salad, hamburgers, and BBQ.
Today we have many places to eat, with more on the horizon. I eat a lot of lunches around Lake Martin, so let me suggest four great lunch orders, in no particular order:
1. Cotton’s BBQ - a couple of miles south of Kowaliga Bridge on highway 63. In my humble opinion they have the best Q the closest to Lake Martin. When I am really hungry I go for a double cheese with a BBQ sandwich and polish it off with a slice of egg custard pie. Otherwise I go for the sandwich with fries. I absolutely love good BBQ, but I detest bad BBQ. Cotton’s passes every time.
2. Oskar’s - when in Lake Martin’s Blue Creek area, it’s a great spot. I have tried almost everything on the menu, it’s hard to go wrong here. If I’m in a big hurry I do the lunch veggie special. Also I love the catfish fillet sandwich - but I get it blackened - not fried, with no sauce and no onions. Oskar’s is a rare find in that they actually know how to cook fish correctly - juicy and hot yet not overdone. Lots of restaurants, most of which charge quadruple their prices, could learn from Oskar’s.
3. Kowaliga - You can call it Sinclair’s on the Lake or Cecil’s at Kowaliga or whatever, but it will always be Kowaliga 
to me. The name has changed over the years, but the best lunch order has not. Order the same thing we have been getting since they were in that old building with the carpet hanging from the rafters. Forgo the fancy stuff and order a plate of onion rings. Wash it down with a cold beverage and soak in the ambiance. If you’re really hungry get a burger. The rings and the view are the best on Lake Martin. You won’t be disappointed. In the springtime they are only open for lunch Friday through Sunday, so you may want to call to make sure they are open.
4. Chuck’s - another Blue Creek gem. Your order? What else? Pizza. It’s very good, even by city folks’ standards. Great atmosphere, too. They sometimes have a band there, and it’s perfect for people watching. Tip - call ahead from your boat to place your order if you want to grab and go.
Bonus meal - it’s a couple of miles north of highway 280 in Alex City, but Sho’ Nuff BBQ is worth a look if you are in the area. Order the Sho’ Nuff Baked Potato. It sounds weird but trust me, it will hit the spot.
Can you think of a great lunch meal that I have left out? Leave a reply, and share it with everyone else, too!
