DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta restaurant is closing one of its locations as the Georgia Department of Transportation gets ready to begin a reconstruction project in the area.
This Is It! announced the closure of its Panola Road location on Tuesday on Facebook, citing GDOT's new development as the reason for the closure.
"Since 2010, our Panola Road location has been more than just a restaurant -- It's been a place for family, friends and cherished memories. We're deeply grateful for your loyalty," said Shelley "Butch" Anthony, the founder & CEO of the restaurant. “That restaurant has a lot of sentimental value. In 2009, my baby girl was killed in a car accident and went to be with the Lord. That was a very difficult location to build.”
GDOT said the project would reconstruct Panola Road at the I-20 interchange as a diverging diamond interchange to help improve traffic and safety. The aim is to address traffic congestion in the area and make it safer for anyone trying to navigate through the interchange.
Janice Alexander, who lives in DeKalb County, said the project would likely make matters worse for a while, but she hopes it ultimately cuts down on frequent gridlock.
“While they’re doing the work in here, it’ll make it worse," Alexander said. "It’s already jammed up now. It’ll be jammed up more because they’ll be working in the middle of the street. I hope it gets done quickly because it’s probably going to be a real mess.”
Other businesses in the complex will soon shut down. GDOT said it would pay fair market value for the land they need. Anthony stated that the planned closing date is on Nov. 16, but they hope to stay open until Dec. 7. He added that his team will keep their customers updated on the final closing date and its next steps.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026, according to GDOT.
"I can understand the expansion," Anthony said. "The progression of trying to move traffic in Atlanta, because it's really bad."
Anthony said the Panola Rd. location was its second most profitable because of its location just off I-20. The restaurant encouraged customers to visit its Memorial Drive and Stockbridge locations.
- Memorial Drive: 4065 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
- Stockbridge: 5570 N. Henry Blvd., Stockbridge, GA 3028
"We look forward to continuing to serve you with the same great food and hospitality you’ve come to love," Anthony said in his statement on Facebook. "Thank you for being part of our journey. We trust in God's plan and believe in blessings ahead. We hope to see you soon!"