Miss-Lou residents will have a new place to dine as soon as late August.

Ruby Tuesday senior vice president Richard Johnson confirmed Friday that negotiations between the national restaurant chain and property owners of Tracetown Shopping Center were successful, and construction on the site will begin immediately with an opening date of late August.

&uot;Everything is on schedule to begin construction soon, if it hasn’t begun already,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;I just checked with development team and they do not expect any delays.&uot;

&uot;We look forward to being there and we appreciate the interest,&uot; he said.

Ted Autterson of J.W. Properties Inc., in Mobile, which manages the shopping center, said the deal between the property owners and the restaurant closed last Thursday.

&uot;It is a done deal,&uot; he said.

Autterson said Ruby Tuesday purchased a parcel of property at the front of the shopping center. Plans call for the restaurant to be built on the site of the old Tracetown McDonald’s, between Britton & Koontz bank and the new McDonald’s.

&uot;I haven’t been out there, but from what I understand, some site work has already begun,&uot; he said.

Crews from R.A. Edgin Construction of Natchez began site work for the restaurant last week. They will also handle asphalt paving for the project.

&uot;I’m just excited to the fact that its happened, and the things it might generate out there in the future,&uot; Autterson said.

&uot;I think thing’s are looking good.&uot;

The Mississippi Department of Transportation previously agreed to rebuild the intersection near the shopping center entrance if a major business would locate in Tracetown.

City Engineer David Gardner, who has been acting as a liason between MDOT and the property owners, has said he is confident will the state will follow through on the commitment.

The Natchez Metro Planning Commission approved site plans for the restaurant and a resubdivision of the property in January.

The restaurant chain’s regional office based in Mobile, Ala., plans to build new restaurants in four communities in southwestern Mississippi, including one in nearby McComb.