Golden Corral grand opening delayed until Jan. 15

Golden Corral fans awaiting the chain’s Town of Poughkeepsie location will have to wait a bit longer, with doors scheduled to officially open Jan. 15.

The buffet-style restaurant planned to host its grand opening on New Year's Eve, this Saturday, but after an issue with the building’s gas line, franchisee owner Sherrance Henderson said the opening will be delayed another two weeks.

Henderson said she was told by her contractor “the city rejected our high-pressured gas line" after it was installed in the store and will now reinstall a low-pressure gas line.

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The opening of the restaurant, located on 2345 South Road in Poughkeepsie, has been delayed several times. First slated for a September opening, grand opening dates were then pushed back to November and December. Henderson attributed some of these delays to missing supplies that were on backorder.

Prior to the restaurant’s grand opening on Jan. 15, which will feature promotional gifts and prizes for patrons, Golden Corral will host a private opening the day before for VIP-invited guests and corporate executives, according to Henderson. Town of Poughkeepsie officials and individuals who helped with the restaurant's opening will attend, and the event will act as a test run to ensure everything is in working order.

Prior to the opening of a location in Middletown, the closest Golden Corral was 88 miles north in Colonie. The restaurant will bring about 125 jobs to the area, including four managerial positions, Henderson said.

Golden Corral is one of several chain restaurants that recently entered Dutchess County.

Hardee's, Texas Roadhouse and the Tilted Kilt opened this year in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen also has plans to open according to the Town of Poughkeepsie planning board, though the company has not offered an updated target opening date. Chipotle Mexican Grill is expected to open in summer 2017 in the Town of Fishkill.

Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4809, Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo. Journal reporter Geoffrey Wilson contributed to this report.