NORWICH – Even though the front of the Norwich Pizza Hut is under construction and the parking lot is being paved as part of new half million dollar expansion project, General Manager Derek Jones wants people to know the restaurant is still open for business.

“See everything in here?” said Jones, motioning to the walls, floor and ceiling while a very large lunch crowd filled the eatery Wednesday afternoon.

“Everything will be gone. The lights, the booths, you name it, you see it, all of what our customers see is going to be redone,” he said.

Jones explained the local Pizza Hut had recently broke ground on adding 500 square feet to the restaurant, which will include an area that can be used as a private banquet room.

Town of Norwich Supervisor David Law had nothing but good things to say about the business. “They’ve been here for a long time. They have a great name that draws people in from all over the area and they are very active in the local community.”

Law said the business had sponsored local sports teams, helped raise money for scholarships and provided community participation discounts to youths taking part in extracurricular activities.