A Perkins Restaurant and Bakery has opened its doors near a Southern Tier Expressway exit in Tioga County.

Perkins fans have been waiting for decades for the well-known brand to return to the Binghamton area.

Beth Ann Smith heads the company that has opened the Tioga County Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Beth Ann Smith heads the company that has opened the Tioga County Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Beth Ann Smith, president of Rajumaanar Enterprises, on Monday morning said she was pleased the Apalachin restaurant has officially started operations.

The business welcomed some special guests, including Perkins corporate representatives, on Sunday.

Inside the kitchen of the newly-opened restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Inside the kitchen of the newly-opened restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

The restaurant is the first Perkins site to utilize a new design, which will be used at future locations in the United States and Canada.

More than 100 people have been hired to staff the Tioga County business, which will be open around-the-clock seven days a week.

The new restaurant was built next door to a Comfort Inn, which opened nearly four years ago.

When she announced plans for the restaurant last July, Smith had hoped the restaurant could open by early this year. But weather and other issues delayed the start of construction.

Smith said her company eventually may consider opening other Perkins restaurants in the region.

Some of the first customers at the Apalachin Perkins restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Some of the first customers at the Apalachin Perkins restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From 99.1 The Whale