Four new restaurants and other businesses are slated to come to this area in the next six months, and one almost-new restaurant is undergoing a name-change.
Glenn Poole and Wilton Foster, owners of Izola’s Country Cafe on Willowbrook Drive, said their locally-owned, independent business specializes in Southern comfort food.
“We’ve actually been open since October last year,” said Poole, who’s worked in restaurants since he was a teenager. “We’ve been operating as Yogurt Cafe, but we’ve just gotten the documents back for the official name change. We started as a yogurt shop then expanded.”
He said the new name is in honor of Foster’s mother, who “really knew her way around the kitchen.” Poole said Foster has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. He was owner of the Western Sizzlin here for more than 20 years.
As lunchtime customers began pouring in the small, but quaint restaurant, Poole listed some of the Southern favorites that bring in the crowds, including fried and baked chicken, baked turkey with cornbread dressing, chicken gizzards and livers and ribs, as well as seasoned vegetables like collard greens, butter beans and rutabagas, plus homemade cobblers and banana pudding,
Jimmy Shanken, realtor with Coldwell Bankers Commercial, Holtzman Realtors, said all transactions are complete for Panera Bread, and the franchisee for Wing Stop has signed a lease for the building. Shanken represents the father and son franchisees for both businesses.
“Panera Bread is going in the old Shoney’s in Flemington,” said Shanken, who is also an assistant broker and certified international property specialist. “The franchisee, Rich Connolly Sr., with Southern Bread, bought the building and plans to open next April  or May.
“Wing Stop is going in the old Juan’s Mexicali. The franchisee, Rich Connolly Jr., with Southern Wings, did a five-year lease with three five-year options. (He) plans to open about Feb. 1, depending on construction progress.”
Another new eatery will be in the new building on Oglethorpe Highway for an eye care clinic. Firehouse Subs hopes to open soon.
Franchise owner, Eddie Wells, who also owns stores in Statesboro and Brunswick, plans to open the Hinesville store in early November.
Hinesville’s inspection department confirmed Wednesday they have issued a construction permit to Rock Patel, franchise owner for the future Golden Corral. The new restaurant will be located on Oglethorpe Highway across the road from Southern Barbecue.
Patel, who also owns the Best Western on Veterans Parkway, plans to have his new business open after the first of the year.