Is a new restaurant coming to old KFC building in Waveland? Claiborne Hill gives update.
There have been dozens of rumors floating around Hancock County for years about what the building that used to a be a KFC restaurant would become.
From Raising Cane’s to Chick-Fil-A to Smoothie King, the fate of the once-red building was theorized often in neighborhood Facebook groups and meet-ups with friends around town.
Recently, the building was purchased by Claiborne Hill Supermarket and got a bit of a facelift. Fresh paint and trim in neutral colors toned down the once fiery red space that served a fried chicken buffet and to-go meals for Hancock County families.
The newest talk around town is that the building would become a Claiborne Hill deli or buffet — an extension of the popular deli inside the grocery store at the corner of Highways 603 and 90. The former KFC space sits in front of the grocery store on Highway 90.
However, the building will remain vacant for the time being, the supermarket told the Sun Herald on Wednesday.
“We have no plans to open a deli/buffet in front of our store,” Elizabeth Jenks of Claiborne Hill said.
Jenks said the store has heard the rumors too: They’ve been asked if it was becoming a coffee shop, a CC’s pizza and other restaurants. Clairborne Hill owners also purchased the former hotel site next door (on the Highway 603 side) that’s been an eyesore for years.
After leveling the space, Jenks said they’ve heard rumors they are adding onto the existing Clairborne Hill store as well.
“We cleared the old hotel located on the corner to give our store frontage more visibility,” Jenks said.
Jenks promised to give an update if plans for either property change.
The Claiborne Hill deli offers hot breakfast, lunch and dinner plates daily. They are also known for their overstuffed roast beef and shrimp po-boys.
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 8:55 AM.
