Jim Fair
Jody Levin visited Chick-fil-A on Wade Hampton Blvd. on its re-opening Monday after undergoing a complete renovation in June. Levin's grandchildren, Cyrus Jones and Donovan Estenfeld, appeared to reap the rewards of this trip.
Jim Fair
Although there was no more square footage added, the removal of a long condiment station allowed the front counter to be extended outward to allow for more traffic for employees serving customers.
Jim Fair
Lila and Herb Tyler, sitting, visited the restaurant owned by their son, Bill Tyler. Jenny Hodson of the staff dropped by to say hello.
Jim Fair
The contemporary Chick-fil-A logo is now exhibited outside.
“Right now it’s just so exciting, the adrenaline has kicked in,” Tyler said.
Here’s what Tyler’s past three weeks have entailed. His Chick-fil-A store on Wade Hampton Blvd. has had a complete renovation with him being on site during the construction. He took two days off with his wife to visit a couple who also own a store. Then there was a week driving to Columbia and back, often arriving home at 2 a.m., to see his daughters, Bailey and Barrett, compete in the Miss South Carolina Teen and Miss South Carolina pageant. Teen finals were Friday, with Bailey finishing second runnerup, and Miss SC finals were Saturday night.
Sunday Tyler held a “team” meeting to review today’s 6:30 a.m. opening and changes.
“It was like homecoming. They were hugging talking about missing each other. They were all glad to see each other,” Tyler said.
Guests welcomed Tyler and his staff back today. “The guests were ecstatic,” Tyler said. “One couple said they haven’t eaten at Chick-fil-A since we closed.”
Tyler opened the restaurant at 1379 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., in 1998 and after two renovations, each eight years apart, said, “It feels like a brand new restaurant.”
The drive-thru service window has been expanded for staff. There is more space between the main dining room aisles. “It’s amazing they used the exact same square footage but gave us more space,” Tyler said.
There are new limited time or permanent menu items added.
Chick-fil-A will have an iced coffee launch in August with its partnership with Thrive Farmers Coffee and S&D Coffee.
Chick-fil-A hours remain 6:30 – 10 p.m.