A major renovation of the Bluffton Arby’s restaurant is complete, according to Lisa Brown, store manager.

The Atlanta-based company calls the new look “The Inspire image.” Renovation began in late April at the Bluffton store, located at 505 State Route 103. It was completed on June 28.

Brown said that Bluffton’s first renovation step was an outside new look. A few weeks later the inside was closed for nearly one month as renovations continued there. The restaurant never closed, however, as the drive-through remained open.

“It’s a totally different look,” said Brown, as she pointed out several changes to the store’s inside and out.

Those changes include:
• Totally new appearance inside and out
• New drive-through
• New restrooms
• New sign
• New island for condiments
• New counter for placing orders
• Parking area new blacktop

Some landscaping is still underway, and the famous tree house – nearly 20 years old – will disappear. The tree house, as employees call it, wraps around the outdoor marquee, which up to now required a manual message change.

An electronic marquee is now in place and the tree house is no longer needed.

Steve and Roger Rhodes, whose home office is in Lima, own Bluffton’s Arby’s. The franchise owners have 11 Arby’s around the Lima area. They have owned the Bluffton store since 1998.

Shawnee’s Arby’s was renovated with the Inspire Image last year. Bluffton’s store is the second that the Rhodes brothers have renovated. The most recent renovation to Bluffton’s Arby’s was five years go, according to Roger Rhodes.

Brown said that the Bluffton’s Arby’s employees 23 persons. It is open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Phone 419-358-2729.