Olive Garden a step closer; Sears Auto is set for move
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on September 18, 2011 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
The relocation of the Sears Auto Center, which must be accomplished before the new Olive Garden can be built, is expected to occur in the next 60 to 90 days.
The final barrier preventing Olive Garden from coming to Goldsboro should be gone within the next two to three months, a spokesperson for Sears said.
Sears Auto Center on North Berkeley Boulevard will move to a location on the Kmart property in the Ashley Plaza shopping center, said Kimberly Freely of the Sears corporate office.
The relocation should take place within the next 60 to 90 days, Ms. Freely said, adding that there isn't an exact timetable for the move.
The auto center is scheduled to be demolished before construction begins on an Olive Garden in its place. The Italian restaurant will be housed in an 11,311-square-foot structure along with an additional 3,514 square feet for retail sales.
The site and landscape plans for the restaurant were approved at a June 6 City Council meeting. Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra said Wednesday that the building permit has already been issued.