I hope you brought empty stomachs to this edition of Goings on with Grant folks because local restaurants and chains are opening soon all over the Golden Triangle.
First up, Michele Fant, owner of Taste Italian Kitchen in Starkville, is opening Bluto’s Greek Tavern, a new Greek style cuisine business in the former Humble Taco location at 511 University Drive.
Fant told me she plans to open on Jan. 16. and will serve classic Greek dishes as well as some fusion-style gyros aimed more toward the local vibe. She decided to open the restaurant to bring more variety to the food service scene and provide a new experience for Starkville locals.
“We wanted to bring some different options to this town than it already has,” Fant said. “So it’s a great opportunity to bring some Greek in a college town and do something fun and young and hip for the kids and adults.”
Hilariously, she named the business after one of my favorite movie characters of all time, John “Bluto” Blutarsky from “Animal House.”
Elsewhere in Starkville, the Guadalajara Bar and Grill will open at 211 Hwy. 12 in the former Pizza Hut building in late January or early February.
Project Manager Fernando Gomez said the business owner sees Starkville as a great place to open a new restaurant.
“We saw the opportunity, the city being well populated with the university, and we wanted to bring our flavor to Starkville,” Gomez said. “We’re always aiming for new opportunities and we saw a great one here.”
Gomez said he and his team have been working on the building since early December and plan to finish the renovations within a month.
Guadalajara may be opening in one of Pizza Hut’s former spots, but a new Pizza Hut location is opening in West Point at 7003 Hwy 45. Alt. N. next month.
The business received a building permit to construct its new location in September and has been working toward opening ever since.
I spoke with the restaurant’s training and development coach Billy Hayes this week as construction crews were hooking up lighting fixtures inside the lobby area. He said the restaurant hopes to open by late January, pending city and state inspections once the construction is complete.
Hayes also said it’s been a very positive experience working with the city and locals on the project and looks forward to seeing the new place open.
“Everyone has been great to work with here,” he said.
Finally, and here’s hoping no one is full yet, Slim Chickens, located at 1923 Hwy. 45. N. in Columbus is nearly complete with its own construction project.
I went to the future chicken restaurant and spoke with general contractor Frank Culpepper who told me the build-out is nearing a completion point and he hopes to wrap it up by late January.
“It’ll be done once the city comes and gives us a final inspection,” Culpepper said.
Well, folks, I don’t think I could read another bite. Make sure to check back in next week for more goings on in business.
Dispatch reporter Grant McLaughlin writes about business openings and closings, as well as other unique business news. Send business tips to [email protected].
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