Despite the pandemic, new restaurants seem to be popping up left and right in Sanford lately. Now, you can add a country buffet to the list.

Renovation work is under way at 1215 N. Horner Blvd., where Blaison’s Buffet will open, hopefully in late June.

That’s the projection from owner Kimberly Minor, who has worked in restaurants in some form or fashion for three decades.

Minor hails from Southern Pines, and said that while her offerings will be familiar – “country buffet” conjures images of a pretty specific type of fare – she’s also placing an emphasis on quality.

“My two head cooks, Demetrius Council and Travis Davis, are coming with me from the Ironwood in Pinehurst,” she said, explaining that while they grew up on “grandma’s cooking,” they also have a level of expertise with fine dining. “It’ll be a southern buffet, but a step up. Everything we have will be homemade.”

Minor said she’ll have three hot bars and two cold ones, with two of the hot bars offering standards and the third rotating on a daily basis. She said she also plans to offer catering, as well as a meeting space.

When Minor has a firm opening date, we’ll share it here.