A local buffet chain has not yet reopened following its state-mandated closure earlier this year.

Golden Corral, located near the intersection of State Route 60 and Northpointe Drive, will remain closed for the immediate future.

According to Jeff Lepper, Director of Staffing for Platinum Corral, the licensed franchisee of the Zanesville Golden Corral, is hopeful the store will reopen soon.

“We have every intention of reopening the store, unfortunately, we don’t have a timetable,” said Lepper.

The restaurant, which employed over 50 local individuals, had planned to reopen multiple times, but economic factors made the decision dismal.

Platinum Corral operates 23 Golden Corral locations in six different states, including both the Lancaster and Zanesville establishments.

Each of those Ohio stores owned by the company has remained closed since the pandemic began.

Many franchise groups have used comparable in-store sales data to determine profitability as a means to decide when to reopen.

Currently, those indicators both at the national and state level show families are choosing to eat more at home or carryout instead of dining in.

Until those trends reverse course, the Golden Corral in Zanesville will remain closed.