GULF SHORES, Ala. - The new Hangout at the terminus of State  Highway 59 and U.S. 182 (Beach Road) is ready for an official opening. To the newcomer it’s another fine looking beach place and restaurant with several amenities. The strong cypress exterior with metal roof and wide eaves with perforated soffits give it an atmosphere of elegance and durability.

  Even the exterior fencing is spindled with California bamboo and the freestanding buildings are for live music and tiki bars. There is also a daiquiri bar. Looking from the exterior one sees the evidence of planning for hurricanes in the reinforced glass windows and garage-like doors made of shatter-resistant glass can be raised and lowered.

  The overall structure’s 18,000 square feet has several divisions. There is a 20-by-45 foot bar with polished wood that seats 50. This is surrounded by two dining levels which seat 328. Co-manager Cathi Smith said that this is the inside seating only, as there is also deck and patio seating. State of the art lighting and audios are subtle and efficient.

  Several articles would be required to give numbers and designs to this structure, yet something is simple and obvious: The Hangout is a re-birth arising from the sands of the Gulf. Enlarged photos of a by-gone era haunt from the walls and axioms and truisms are printed on a board near the kitchen, one reading “Never trust a skinny cook.”

  On Monday the 28th of April a promoter and camera team was there following a group of teenagers, all over 50 years of age. Mike Miceli and several couples, engaged in promoting the enterprise, drifted along light of step and sharing memories of the glory days of the original Hangout which flourished from the late 1950s to the early 1970s.

  That same generation which caused The Hangout to flourish went on to other pursuits, and The Hangout eventually became a beach supply store, which in turn succumbed to Hurricane Frederick. Hurrican Ivan then “cleared out” the debris, and now, thanks to developer Shaul Zislin, The Hangout lives again!

  One of the 50-something “teenagers” had found a copy of the Gulfcoast Beachcomber printed on July 7, 1967. The Hangout covered many of the pages. “Look! There’s Scott Hunter [former quarterback of the Alabama Crimson Tide, one of Bear’s boys] I believe!” And others agreed that it was. And someone recognized Freda Loftis, the daughter of Jim and Ola Kolidis. Another wished that Jim and Ola (former owners of The Hangout) could have been there. Gayle Hart said that we have the opportunity to be teenagers once more.

  Tim Blalock, lifeguard at the original Hangout, pointed to a number of photos and events in the special publication. A lady lifeguard, Jane Cunningham, was also in a photo.

  Larry Autrey said he was the first “paid lifeguard” in 1959 and joked that he was replaced by Fred Phagan, the first professional life guard who came in with Ed’s Beach Service in 1960 and served for 10 years. At the time Johnny Sims was the mayor.

  John and Linda Brenner from Mobile came in and looked with amazement at the size and details of The Hangout. They reminisced about the same era being discussed by the group.