The trademark sign atop Waco's famous Elite Café is no longer at its post. Chip and Joanna Gaines are making progress with their plan to bring the 100-year-old building back to life.
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This is the first big sign that renovations are on schedule for a 2017 opening. According to KWTX, the couple auctioned off the contents of the restaurant in September.
Joanna first announced their new endeavor in a blog post last year.
"Our new restaurant is opening in 2017 which will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch," she shared. "Chip has wanted a breakfast joint for years and he finally found the perfect spot for it, and I'm not going to lie, he is also super excited about serving ham sandwiches and bacon. The Elite Café was one of the oldest restaurants in Waco, but it closed down last year and we are excited about bringing it back to life."
The Elite Restaurant first opened its doors 97 years ago. During its heyday, it was a favorite stop for those traveling between Dallas and Austin. According to the Waco Tribune, Elvis Presley even dined there when he was stationed at Fort Hood.
READ MORE: Why Waco is Becoming One of Texas' Hottest Cities
After years of success, they closed their doors for good in Feb. 2016. They blamed chronically low sales on their departure. Soon after, the building the Gaines' swooped in and purchased the building. Along with removing the sign, the couple posted a message to their fans on the billboard outside.
"We'll let you know when breakfast is ready. - Chip"
Currently, the Gaines aren't commenting on their plans for the restaurant, other than saying it should open sometime this year. With their name behind it, it is likely that it will be another huge success for the couple and their franchise.
