The scheduled opening of Chick-fil-A in Mount Airy has been delayed one week — which will provide just another seven days for the hype surrounding that event to build even more.

Officials of Chick-fil-A say the opening is now set for Sept. 13, revised from a Sept. 6 date. Its new building at 2007 Rockford St. has taken shape in the last couple of weeks as construction crews have worked diligently, even on weekends.

Both city officials and those with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce report being bombarded by questions from the public regarding the event.

“We’re getting a lot of interest,” said Jessica Roberts, the chamber’s director of tourism and marketing. That is based on inquiries at its visitors center as well as traffic on social media Internet sites.

“There’s a lot of hype,” Roberts added surrounding the Chick-fil-A opening. “I think it’s going to be a huge event.”

Martin Collins, community-development director for Mount Airy, said many calls also have been received at his office regarding Chick-fil-A.

Collins has said that only the opening of Chili’s several years ago has rivaled that of Chick-fil-A in terms of interest.

Many are just excited about the chain restaurant’s menu.

Roberts says she knows of people who regularly drive to Stanleyville in Forsyth County, presently the nearest Chick-fil-A location to Mount Airy.

Also, Chick-fil-A grand openings tend to attract many fans seeking offers of free food which accompany those events. Meanwhile, its restaurants around the country have been scenes of protests and counter-protests this summer over an anti-gay marriage position taken by the company CEO.

However, local officials prefer to focus on the economic and other benefits from Chick-fil-A coming to town.

“It’s a big job creator,” Roberts said. She hopes the locating of Chick-fil-A in Mount Airy might open the door for another restaurant coming which the public has a craving for, Cracker Barrel.

Betty Ann Collins, the chamber’s president and CEO, further has been impressed by the efforts of Chad Tidd, the owner/operator of the local Chick-fil-A outlet, to immerse himself and his family in the community.

“Chad Tidd has hit the ground running and has embraced every opportunity to meet as many local people as he can; whether it was a member of an association, civic group, school group, church group or a local small business owner,” she remarked.

“Chad Tidd and his family are going to be wonderful citizens for our community.”

The locating of Chick-fil-A here dates to April 2011, when the first visit from a potential owner/operator candidate occurred, the chamber leader added.

“And we got excited.”

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@heartlandpublications.com.