Business is booming in Fort Oglethorpe, if the quickly changing landscape is any indication.
A drive through the city will show renovations to several established businesses, as well as the construction of a few new ones.
The Golden Corral at 760 Battlefield Parkway will be a lot larger following an ongoing remodel, said Mayor Gray, and across the street, the Kentucky Fried Chicken is undergoing a face-lift and a planned interior remodel that will add a buffet line this fall.
"For many years, they were the No. 1 Golden Corral in the Southeast, and with the renovation I think they will get that status back," said Gray.
While he said it's hard to say for certain, he expects the Golden Corral and new Cook Out restaurant next to the RAK Outfitters at 898 Battlefield Parkway to be open by Thanksgiving.
"All of them have a target date to open by Thanksgiving," he said. "We are fixing to get in the bad weather season. That weather will play a big part in it, so it's hard to say. Fortunately, all of them have the exterior work done. I'd say KFC will be done in the next two weeks."
Cook Out, a fast food burger joint that originated in 1989 in Greensboro, N.C., and recently moved into the local market with a store in Hixson, focuses on "fresh never frozen hamburgers" cooked "outdoors style," according to the company's website.
Up the parkway on the left, Chick-fil-A reopened Oct. 19 after a large-scale remodel of the facade and interior that added a dual drive-thru and new landscaping to the property.
"All of these independent businesses after a while need a face-lift," Gray said.