Two new restaurants will soon locate in Westgate Plaza in Andalusia, John Tisdale of Westgate Development, Inc., announced in a press release Monday night. Tisdale also said he is negotiating a five-plex cinema for Covington Mall, soon to be known as Covington Commons.

Happy Kitchen Asian Restaurant will be open by April, and Mendoza’s Mexican Restaurant could be open in within three weeks, the release stated. Tisdale said both restaurant owners have extensive experience, and the additions will make Westgate Plaza 100 percent occupied. Other Westgate Plaza tenants include Beef O’Brady’s, Arby’s, Goody’s Sanders Jewelry and Andalusia Sewing Center.

Tisdale said Mendoza’s will return to Andalusia in a totally new space.

“We are all excited to have the Mendoza family back in Andalusia with their exceptional Mexican food and drinks,” he said.

Happy Kitchen is a totally new concept for Andalusia, he said, adding that this will be the owners’ second restaurant Their 149 menu items include Thai, Chinese, or Japanese food, he said.

Tisdale said he is in active negotiations for retail shops, a new hotel, another new restaurant and a five-plex cinema at Covington Mall, which he plans to re-christen “Covington Commons. “

See previous story on planned mall changes.

The mall area currently includes JC Penney and Zaxby’s.

Tisdale said Joe Donofro and Associates has drawn the cinema “in line” and to the southeast of JC Penney, and as a fre standing building. A final design decision has not been made, he said.