By Emily Enfinger and Justin Averette
The Selma Times-Journal

The St. James Hotel is now serving up quicker lunch options for those with busy schedules.

Hotel managers also hope the cafeteria-style lunch for a flat rate of $9.99 cuts costs and improves efficiency.

Mark Peterson, who has been serving as St. James manager since Dec. 1, proposed the simpler lunch menu.

“For those that need to get in and get out and want something that is healthy and filling, they can do that in 15 minutes and get back to work,” Peterson said.

The hotel ran a “dry run” of the new lunch Thursday and Peterson plans to make the switch fully starting Friday.

Peterson said the changes would save the hotel 20 percent on labor costs while eliminating wait times. The lunch includes a choice of two meats, three vegetables, salad, dessert and tea.

The menu will be available daily on the St. James Hotel Facebook page. It will also be available on the hotel website soon.

Peterson said the full lunch menu hasn’t gone away and people can still order from the regular menu at the bar.

Lunch is available Tuesday thru Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

According to Peterson, everyone who ate at the hotel Thursday complimented food and fast service.

“The reviews so far are that we are on the right track,” Peterson said.

Peterson and the Selma City Council continue to negotiate a possible February sale of the hotel.

“We appreciate the work he is doing,” said Selma Mayor George Evans. “I would ask the citizens of Selma to help out as much as we can by going over there and seeing what’s being done.”