VIDALIA &8212; A new Tex-Mex restaurant is expected to be open by Jan. 1.

Owner and Natchez native Jason Breeland said construction is under way for the new restaurant Taco Del Mar.

The restaurant will be at 1011 Carter St., the location of the old Holsum Bread Store.

&8220;It&8217;s been great to be back in the community and we&8217;re very excited about opening the restaurant,&8221; Breeland said. &8220;I look forward to having a successful venture here in Vidalia.&8221;

Breeland said he first became aware of Taco Del Mar while he was teaching in Seattle.

&8220;It quickly became my favorite so I went through their training program and decided to open one back home,&8221; Breeland said.

The concept of the Tex-Mex restaurant chain is similar to a Subway restaurant, where customers can order and watch their food being prepared, Breeland said.

Breeland said what would entice people to come try the traditional dishes of beef, pork and chicken and the more exotic fish taco is the quality of the food.

&8220;All of our food is prepared fresh, daily,&8221; Breeland said. &8220;And we will offer large portions of fresh food at a reasonable price.&8221;

Breeland said the restaurant would be built to seat 35 to 40 customers and provide nine to 11 new jobs.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said he welcomes the new restaurant with open arms.

&8220;We&8217;re always excited about new business coming to town because it offers both a service to the community and new employment opportunities,&8221; Copeland said.

The one minor dilemma that would be fixed by the time the restaurant opens, Breeland said, is the limited parking space.

Breeland said he would have additional parking lots installed at the rear and on both sides of the building.

Breeland said he realizes that the restaurant business is a tough one but he is confident his will do well.

&8220;We&8217;re in a good area, close to the highway, and with the market being a new one, I think the restaurant will flourish,&8221; Breeland said.

According to the Taco Del Mar Web site, the nearest current restaurant location is in Flowood.

Breeland said his restaurant would be the first Taco Del Mar in Louisiana and if all goes well, he said he would open a restaurant in Natchez.

For more information about Taco Del Mar visit their Web site at www.tacodelmar.com.