Effinas to replace Damn Yankees in downtown Anniston

The owner of a Jacksonville Italian restaurant has announced plans to open a second location next month in downtown Anniston.

Steve Landers, owner of Effina's in Jacksonville, wants to open a second location April 1 on Noble Street, replacing the long-standing Damn Yankees restaurant. Landers said he's partnering with one of the owners of Loco Mex in Jacksonville to lease the building from Damn Yankees owner, Dave Mogil.

Mogil is currently out on bond, awaiting trial on a charge of aggravated cruelty to an animal after witnesses told police they saw someone strike a dog with a garden hose on the second-story balcony of the restaurant in November. The dog attempted to escape and either fell or jumped from the balcony, according to police reports.

Mogil still operates a Damn Yankees in Heflin.

Landers said though the new restaurant will be an Effina's, it won't offer the same food as the Jacksonville location.

Landers said "It will be slightly different because this new restaurant doesn't have pizza ovens," Landers said he expects it will take him about three weeks to get the new location ready for business.