Apr. 27—Aiken is getting closer to having a new restaurant billed as a place where "Italian generosity is always on the table."

The framework for the Olive Garden building under construction on the Southside is in place, and there is signage on it.

"We are still aiming for the fall, but don't have an official opening date yet. Happy to circle back towards the end of summer as we get closer to the opening," wrote a spokeswoman for the Olive Garden chain's parent company, Darden Restaurants, in an email sent Thursday to the Aiken Standard.

The Aiken Olive Garden's location at 2265 Whiskey Road is the former site of another restaurant, Golden Corral, which was demolished.

Preliminary work began last November at the location, which is an outparcel of the East Gate Shopping Center.

Plans submitted to the City of Aiken, call for the 7,805-square-foot Olive Garden to have 235 seats and 117 parking spaces.

The restaurant will have a stone veneer exterior with elements of stone cladding and brick veneer, the Aiken Standard reported previously.

The closest Olive Garden to Aiken currently serving customers is at 2736 Washington Road in Augusta.

Other Olive Gardens in South Carolina include two in Columbia at 274 Harbison Blvd. and 10136-112 Two Notch Road, according to olivegarden.com.