A new local business is welcoming the community to come out to the porch for a meal and drink.

Side Porch Sandwiches is preparing to open up on Monday and offer dine in and take-out services to customers.

Located in the old oyster bar location across from the St. James Hotel, Side Porch Sandwiches will offer a variety of sandwiches and dishes.

Matt “Biscuit” Davis, the 26-year-old owner and operator of Side Porch Sandwiches, said he was inspired to open a sandwich shop because it’s always been a dream of his, and it’s something he’s worked hard on the past few weeks to bring to fruition.

“This is what I’ve done, what I know and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do since I was a little kid,” Davis said. “So I figured I’d give it a shot one time. I’ve got a good opportunity to do it, so I figured why not now?”

Cooking is something that’s always been a part of Davis’ life, as he’s worked for the St. James Hotel, Chuckwagon Steakhouse and the Restaurant on Grumbles Alley, and he says cooking is his way of making people happy.

“It’s something I enjoy doing, it’s something I’ve always done and I just enjoy doing it,” Davis said. “Making people happy makes me happy. People are happy when they eat.”

Davis said the style of sandwiches range from reubens to hamburgers.

“We’re offering grilled chicken sandwiches, reubens, muffulettas, hot dogs, hamburgers, hot pistramis on rye, those kinds of things,” Davis said. “Something Selma hasn’t seen in a long time I don’t think, so we’re bringing something different.”

The restaurant will also offer soups, salads and soft drinks, and aims to offer delivery within the first two weeks after opening.

Davis said the sandwich shop is somewhere that people can come to relax and have a good meal while overlooking the Alabama River.

“We’re just going to be a laid-back, easy-going place. You can come in here and drink some coffee, drink some tea and maybe one day drink some cold beer,” Davis said. “This is a porch, so we’re going to let the windows down, turn the fans on and you can come in and enjoy yourself.”

Side Porch Sandwiches is looking to open Monday and Davis said its general hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the week.