PIKEVILLE, Ky. (MTN) — The well-known, Italian restaurant Fazoli’s was set to open their doors in Pikeville around June, but their grand opening has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But, according to co-owner Hillary Harkins, this delay was more of a blessing than a setback.

“…we would have been shut down, we wouldn’t have had the inside open… that’s no way to open a restaurant for the first time, so we’re just calling it a blessing,” states Harkins.

Not only will this restaurant be a new meal option for Pikeville, but a new life chapter for the co-owners as they plan to be married in October of this year.

Site-work began on the new Pikeville Fazoli’s location last week and Harkins says that construction could begin on the restaurant’s building as early as next month.