Marine Veteran’s Sunrise Smokehouse and Allergen-Free Joyfulls Bakery Join Downtown OWA in Foley

FOLEY, Ala. — A barbecue restaurant launched by a Marine Corps veteran and a bakery run by a 20-year-old entrepreneur are the newest additions to Downtown OWA, the dining, shopping and entertainment district at OWA Parks & Resort in Foley.

OWA announced that Sunrise Smokehouse and Joyfulls Bakery are the latest businesses to join the district, adding Southern barbecue and allergen-friendly baked goods to a lineup that continues to grow.

“The addition of Joyfulls Bakery and Sunrise Smokehouse is part of the continued evolution of Downtown OWA as a destination for dining, shopping and entertainment on the Alabama Gulf Coast,” OWA management said in a statement. “With more new businesses and fun experiences on the horizon, guests can look forward to even more reasons to visit.”

Sunrise Smokehouse: barbecue from a Marine veteran’s family

Sunrise Smokehouse is a new barbecue restaurant from Kevin Castillejos, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. The restaurant will serve barbecue alongside a variety of Southern comfort food combinations.

The kitchen will be a family effort. Castillejos’ father, who has extensive culinary experience, will lead the kitchen, according to OWA’s announcement.

“With the owner’s father, who brings extensive culinary experience, leading the kitchen, the family hopes to pair quality food with genuine Southern hospitality,” the announcement stated. “Beyond the food, the family behind Sunrise Smokehouse hopes to establish a place where friends and families can gather, celebrate special occasions and make lasting memories.”

Veteran-owned businesses have a strong presence in Baldwin County, which is home to a large population of military retirees and veterans drawn by the mild climate and proximity to bases along the Gulf Coast, including Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Northwest Florida.

Joyfulls Bakery: treats for sensitive diets

Joyfulls Bakery is owned and run by 20-year-old Emersen Taylor and is built around customers with food sensitivities. Its baked goods are made without gluten, wheat, dairy, nuts or dyes, and the menu ranges from cookies and muffins to cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls and seasonal treats.

The business began as a small stand at the Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermen’s Market in Foley, where it built a loyal following before moving into Downtown OWA. Taylor held a soft opening of the OWA storefront earlier in October.

“The bakery’s growth is rooted in Taylor’s family’s experience with food sensitivities and the challenge of finding delicious treats that accommodate dietary restrictions,” OWA’s announcement stated. “That experience inspired her to create a bakery where everyone can find something special and feel included.”

For people with celiac disease or food allergies, a dedicated allergen-free bakery offers something a conventional bakery cannot: a kitchen where flour, butter and nuts are not present at all, reducing the risk of cross-contact that can come with shared equipment and work surfaces.

About Downtown OWA

OWA Parks & Resort opened in Foley in 2017 and is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe. The name OWA comes from a Muscogee word meaning “big water.”

The destination combines an amusement park, The Park at OWA, and an indoor-outdoor water park, Tropic Falls, with Downtown OWA, a walkable district of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues that is free to enter. The district also includes the OWA Theater and hosts concerts, seasonal festivals and holiday events throughout the year, drawing both tourists headed to the beaches and residents from across Baldwin County.

OWA sits just off the Foley Beach Express, a main route to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, which makes Downtown OWA a convenient stop for travelers coming to and from the coast.

Growing dining options in Foley

The two new businesses reflect a broader push to expand dining choices at Downtown OWA so that it serves as a destination in its own right, not just a stop for park visitors. A barbecue restaurant adds a classic Southern option for families and groups, while an allergen-free bakery gives visitors with dietary restrictions a place to find treats they can safely enjoy.

Foley itself has seen steady growth as one of the fastest-growing cities in Baldwin County, and new restaurants and retail continue to open along its major corridors as the area’s population increases.

At a glance

• Sunrise Smokehouse: Barbecue and Southern comfort food from Marine Corps veteran Kevin Castillejos, with his father leading the kitchen
• Joyfulls Bakery: Gluten-, wheat-, dairy-, nut- and dye-free cookies, muffins, cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls and seasonal treats from 20-year-old owner Emersen Taylor
• Location: Downtown OWA, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley
• What’s next: OWA says more new businesses and experiences are on the horizon

Opening dates and hours for Sunrise Smokehouse had not been announced. Guests can check OWA’s website and social media channels for updates on both businesses.