The long anticipated opening of a new restaurant in Meridian is scheduled for Monday.

Olive Garden, which is located in the Meridian Crossroads shopping center, will open its doors for dinner Monday night. The Italian restaurant is one of the most popular food chains in the country and there is a lot of excitement surrounding its opening in Meridian.

"Meridian has been asking for us for 4-5 years and the letters that we've had come in to our company is overwhelming, so the excitement is extremely high. And me personally, my excitement is extremely high as well. When I came to visit everybody opened their arms up," said Charles Beyer - General Manager, Olive Garden.

Olive Garden will open at four p.m. every day next week. Beginning May 19th, the restaurant will begin opening for lunch as well.