Lizard’s Thicket on Elmwood closes for renovations

One of the area’s oldest and most frequented Lizard’s Thicket restaurants closed Monday to undergo a full renovation.

But don’t worry, the 30-year-old Lizard’s Thicket at 818 Elmwood Ave. will reopen in the fall and will be better than ever, restaurant management says.

Once renovations are complete, the location will include increased parking, new exterior siding, state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and a remodeled dining room with new booths, Wi-Fi access and USB chargers. The location will also have easier access to its drive-thru window--the location was the first of the chain’s restaurants to feature a drive-thru.

The restaurant’s 37 employees will remain and the company has given each employee the opportunity to work at any other Lizard’s Thicket while the restaurant is closed for renovations.

The Elmwood Lizard’s Thicket was the seventh of the Columbia-based restaurant chain locations to open when it welcomed its first customers in 1986. The eatery has been a frequent stop for visiting politicians including Bill Clinton, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.

For more information or to find another location to frequent during the renovations, visit www.lizardsthicket.com.

This story was originally published June 5, 2017 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Lizard’s Thicket on Elmwood closes for renovations."