The previous version of the Golden Corral closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened, prompting speculation among those in the Port Ritchey community about when or even if the buffet would return.

But following new owners and a refurbished interior, the Golden Corral is back with 120 employees, and potentially more to come, ready to serve the community.

“We had a lot of families with their kids, kids of all ages,” Meski Ahabte told the Suncoast News about the customer response to opening day. She and her husband, Fasil, own Golden Corral restuarants in larger cities, but they were inspired to reopen the business in Port Ritchey because of its family-friendly, small-town atmosphere. The 100 tables and a dining room arranged around a fireplace create the ambience the Ahabtes hoped to offer.

“Everybody was saying how excited they were to be back,” she said.

General manager Joe Schramm, who encouraged the Ahabates to create an open-dining concept within the restaurant, appreciates the opportunity to work with the Ahabates at the restaurant.

“There’s something for everyone — adults, seniors, kids — and at an affordable price. With kids, one wants this and one wants something else, and you go to this restaurant and that restaurant, and it’s a lot and it costs way more,” Ahabte added. “We do love having the family environment.”