Similar to a food critic, the city gave a thumbs up this past week to the Olive Garden’s building plans.

The restaurant chain submitted the plans last month. City officials have spent the past several weeks reviewing the plans.

City of Gaffney Zoning Administrator Tony Lavender said all that’s left for construction to begin is for the contractor to pick up the building permit.

The Olive Garden plans to spend $1 million to renovate the 9,000-square-foot former Eckerd Drug store space at the Peachtree Marketplace.

The Ledger reported last year that Olive Garden had applied for a liquor license.

Lavender said the plans call for the front of the building to resemble the restaurant’s familiar rock-faced facade.

The restaurant chain was founded in 1982 and is owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc., the largest casual dining restaurant company in the world. In addition to its genuine Italian cuisine, the restaurant also offers an extensive wine list.