ORANGE BEACH, AL – Local restaurant owners, Brian and Jodi Harsany, have opened two new restaurants and an event center in Orange Beach.

Luna’s Eat and Drink and BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets are now open west of Harsany’s iconic Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar. Work to get the new businesses up and running began in late 2014 and the new facility is now up and running.

“We are excited to be able to offer these different options to our guests,” Brian Harsany said. “We pride ourselves on providing an unforgettable dining experience at each of our locations.”

Cosmo’s Courtyard, located on Canal Road, is home to Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar, a favorite since 2006. Sister restaurant, Cobalt, opened in 2008, is located under the Perdido Pass Bridge next to Caribe Resort, features authentic dishes crafted by renowned chefs. Guests can enjoy a spectacular view of the bay from every table along with a casual atmosphere, live music and superior service.

The wild success of Cosmo’s led almost directly to the idea of opening a new space next door. In the busy season cars piled onto the grass lawn of the little shopping complex on Canal Road, people parked across the street at the tire store and anywhere they could to get a seat in Cosmo’s.

Harsany and Orange Beach officials knew more parking was needed.

“I was fortunate to get the property next door but it’s much larger than what I need just for parking,” he said. “That got me to thinking about needs in the area as far as styles of restaurants and I think Luna’s will fit its own very unique niche, create a niche different from Cosmo’s and offer a whole other dining experience for guests who come to the property.”

Part of the reason for a new space was to give those flocking to Cosmo’s an alternative and part was to have a sweet shop and part to build a meeting space.

“We’re going to have a Cosmo’s event center which will be able to do parties of up to 200,” Harsany said. “There’s definitely a need down here to do more of that and even though it’s going to be a large room it’s going to have lots of atmosphere and character.”

The Event Center at Cosmo’s Courtyard will be able to host everything from family reunions and wedding receptions to sit-down dinners with 4,000-plus square feet available.

“Lots of windows and doors so it will be open and airy,” Harsany said. “That will open up to a 12-foot covered porch which will overlook the little garden area. There will be a lot of photo ops for people having parties and a comfortable atmosphere.”

The coffee shop called BuzzCatz will have space in the front of the new structure.

“We’ll have some breakfast items because people will come in early in the morning to get coffee and a bite to eat and we’ll have pastries, cookies, ice cream and things like that,” Harsany said. “That will help if we’re on a long wait here they can get a snack or go after they’ve eaten here or at Luna’s they can top it off with a nice ice cream or cookie or pastry.”

BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets features locally roasted coffee and simple breakfast fare, in addition to homemade pastries, ice cream and baked goods.

Luna’s Eat & Drink is a high energy, family-friendly eatery delivering a quality of food not found anywhere on the island. Along with a menu of Southern-inspired comfort foods, guests will be able to enjoy 32 craft beers on tap.

“Luna’s will have a lower price point, there will be more al la carte,” Harsany said. “There will be very unique items where we take a normal item and put our spin on it and take it to another level.

“You have to put your own feel and perspective on food and I think we do a real good job of that.”