BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is gearing up to launch its first Alabama location this summer by DSW Shoes at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.

The California-based restaurant chain will open to the public at 11 a.m. July 6 in an 8,000-square-foot facility in Bridge Street's Phase III expansion area.

The casual-dining brand is known for its deep-dish pizza, salads, steaks, baby back ribs, sandwiches, pastas, handcrafted beer and Pizookie dessert. BJ's also offers vegetarian, gluten-free and kid-friendly dishes.

"We're excited to come to Huntsville because we are a craft beer restaurant and bar," said Bill Miller, general manager for the new store. "The craft beer scene in Huntsville has been growing and we want to celebrate and share in it."

Miller expects to hire 175 workers for the Huntsville location. A temporary hiring center is open near the Apple store at Bridge Street.

Job candidates can visit the chain's website for more details on applying. Open positions include bartenders, dishwashers, hosts, line and prep cooks, servers, service assistants, and take out.

"We have been busy conducting interviews with everyone eager to work at BJ's," Miller said.

Founded in 1978 in Santa Ana, Calif., the company now operates 161 sites under four different brands: BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, BJ's Pizza & Grill and BJ's Grill.

BJ's will join the ranks of several other new Bridge Street businesses, including Texas de Brazil, BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, SHADES, Steel City Pops, Belk and Orvis.

"BJ's is a great addition to the dining scene at Bridge Street and will complement our existing collection of full-service restaurants featuring American, Asian, Mexican, Italian and Brazilian cuisine," said Bridge Street spokesman Van Geroux.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.