news-record.com

The county's first Olive Garden restaurant will open its doors near Alamance Crossing Monday.

The restaurant, located just seconds from the new shopping center, was built in the company's Tuscan-farmhouse design and will seat 247.

"Our goal is to take care of every guest who walks through the door," said Anton Abendschein, the restaurant's general manager. "We will offer all of our guests a genuine Italian dining experience," Abendschein said.

To add to that experience, the building has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports designed to make the dining experience a tribute to the restaurant's Italian inspiration.

With exposed wood beams supporting the ceiling, stone and wood accents and terra cotta tile throughout the building's 7,399 square feet, the Burlington restaurant is designed after the company's restaurant in Tuscany, Italy.

"We offer fresh, simple and delicious Italian food, complimented by a great glass of wine in a comfortable home-like Italian setting welcomed by people who treat you like family," Abendschein said.

Other than a authentic Italian food, the Olive Garden also brought along 165 jobs.

As of last week, Abendschein had hired about 70 percent of his staff.

"I'm looking to be fully staffed by the time we open," he said.

In addition to adding to the job market, it a goal of the Olive Garden to become involved in other aspects of the Alamance County community as a whole.

With programs like Pasta for Pennies and the restaurants' partnership with Second Harvest Food Banks, Abendschein is hoping to show that the Olive Garden is trying to make a positive impact on the community.

"I plan to get involved at the local hospital and at Elon University," he said.

"It just helps us build on our grand promise that it's all about friends and family. It's Italian generosity," he added.

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 449-4731, or tjones@news-record.com