It’s been a question that’s asked anytime there’s a story regarding a new business at White Oaks or just about any other development in Bridgeport. The question is “when is TGI Fridays going to open?”

 

According to Desiree Belew, the Marketing Manager for the Bistro Group, which is a franchisee for TGI Fridays, the restaurant will have a grand opening Dec. 12. She added that while the grand opening will take place that day, there is a chance the restaurant could be open a few days prior to that. Right now, final construction details are being worked out.

 

John Mosesso, who is with the local organization involved with the Bistro Group, said he’s excited about the business. And he said he’s tremendously pleased others are excited as well.

 

“Things are going well and the trainers (were here) by the end of the week,” said Mosesso. “I think we’ve already got 70 employees hired and are looking to hire more.”

 

Mosesso and Belew said they are still in the hiring process. In fact, you can click HERE if you are interested in becoming part of the new TGI Friday’s team.

 

“We’re still ironing out things on the construction front, but primarily were’ finished. It’s at the punch list level right now,” said Mosesso.

 

While TGI Fridays is a national brand, the building in Bridgeport is unique, said Belew. In fact, the concept is only the third of its kind in the nation. Along with having garage doors on one area of the building that can be opened to a view of Interstate 79, there are many other layout changes that can’t be found in the vast majority of the restaurants.

 

“Bridgeport is among the pioneers for this new model, which essentially is an open floor model. The bar is no longer closed in, but we’ll still have the propeller handing at the top of the bar,” said Belew. “The liquor bottles will be hanging inside the gantry.

 

“We want the entire restaurant to not only be functional, but also a place for families to relax and enjoy themselves,” she continued. “We think the layout itself will help that as even the kitchen is open and on full display … It’s very sleek without items hanging on the wall. It will feature a lot of red and black throughout.”

 

Mosesso said he thinks the community and region will enjoy the new restaurant. And he said he’s confident they’ll live up to the expectations.

 

“I’m greatly pleased with the excitement and so have our general manager and others involved in the project. They’ve actually been blown away by the excitement,” he ended.

 

The hours of operation, starting for certain Dec. 12, is 11 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. Those will be the standard Monday through Friday hours of operation. Friday hours are 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday will run from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., while Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the exterior of the Bridgeport TGI Fridays, while workers recently install a sign near the entrance earlier this month.