The outline of the first Byrne Dairy convenience store in Broome County has appeared at the site of an abandoned Friendly's restaurant.

Excavation work began Monday morning at the intersection of East Main Street and Loder Avenue.

Most Endicott residents recall the old building at the site for the decades it served as a Friendly's eatery. But the place opened as a Sambo's restaurant in 1977.

The name was changed because of its alleged racist nature. It became No Place Like Sam's before being rebranded Season's restaurant.

It operated as a Friendly's restaurant for a few decades until it was closed without advance notice in April 2019.

The future Byrne Dairy store at 301 East Main Street in Endicott is expected to be constructed north of a former Friendly's restaurant on the site. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The future Byrne Dairy store at 301 East Main Street in Endicott is expected to be constructed north of a former Friendly's restaurant building on the site. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Construction work at the site of the new Byrne Dairy is occurring just north of the empty restaurant building.

Demolition work on the old structure is expected to get underway in a few days.

Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson has said she believes the Byrne Dairy store will open next spring.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even find a favorite or two.

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

More From 98.1 The Hawk