SALISBURY — Golden Corral may be coming to Salisbury.
Bill Earnhardt of Salisbury owns about 7 acres of land behind the Lowe’s shopping center on Bendix Drive. He has submitted plans to the city for a new Golden Corral restaurant.
The restaurant would join Tilley Harley-Davidson, PowerCurbers, Verizon Wireless and other businesses that line the road that parallels Interstate 85 near exit 76.
Earnhardt plans to build a short road off Bendix Drive that would serve the eatery and hopefully one day connect to the driveway that runs through the Lowe’s shopping center, said Preston Mitchell, the city’s Planning and Development Services manager. The driveway, which splits the Lowe’s side from the Marshall’s side, was built to public street standards, although it remains a private drive.
The city’s long-term transportation plan calls for the road, which currently dead ends between the theater and Food Lion, to become Newsome Road Extension and connect to Bendix Drive.
Golden Corral would face the new short road Earnhardt plans to build.
Earnhardt proposes subdividing his property into three lots, with Golden Corral in the center. He has not revealed to the city his plans for the other two lots, Mitchell said.
Earnhardt’s son, Allison Earnhardt, has been the contact for the project and could not be reached for comment.
Brixmor, a commercial real estate firm, bought the shopping center after it was developed and inherited the dead-end driveway. The city has encouraged Brixmor to complete the driveway and turn it into a public street, but so far with no luck.
City staff members are reviewing Earnhardt’s proposal, which went through the city’s Technical Review Committee. Permits could be issued as early as next week.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.