The restaurant located on the Fairhope Pier is getting closer to opening, according its owner.

The Blind Tiger brand is based in Bay St. Louis and has locations in Bay St. Louis and Biloxi, Mississippi, and Slidell and Madisonville, Louisiana. The brand opened its first locations in 2013. According to The Blind Tiger website, owner Thomas Genin honed his culinary skills under Emeril Lagasse.

The Fairhope location was announced at the end of August 2022 with a projected opening date of early 2023. According to information released via The Blind Tiger Fairhope Facebook page where Genin posts video updates, delays and setbacks have affected the timeline over the past year. The location has been a hive of activity recently, and according to Genin's update on Nov. 20, it won't be much longer. No official date has been announced, but they promise "soon."

In the Nov. 20 update, Genin said the flooring had arrived and an inspection of the vent hood and kitchen was underway to determine what work needs to be done. Work has been completed on a new access to the marina from the restaurant, and the pier has been completed. Genin also assured boaters that the marina would be available for public use and is their boat parking lot for visitors.

Genin also spoke of future plans for the marina that he said could include different dock configurations and the ability for boats to pull up to purchase ice, drinks, merchandise and possibly a waterside to-go menu. But he stressed the immediate focus is getting the renovation done and the restaurant open.

Brett Barkin, a Fairhope resident and Genin's local partner in the restaurants, commented the restaurant will be a transformation for the area.