GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  The smell of pizza wafting out of a familiar restaurant means good news for some laid-off workers in Georgetown.

Domino’s Pizza, a business on North Fraser Street, recently reopened under new ownership, said manager Arthur Green.

About 15 former employees were called back to work, said Green.

The restaurant, one of several to close at the same time in Georgetown, has been shuttered since October.

The restaurant reopened for business last Monday.

“We were kind of busy [over the holidays],” Green said.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re open yet. I don’t see this store closing down again.”

Bigger franchise

The business is now part of a much bigger franchise, Green said.

The previous owner operated two Domino’s restaurants in Georgetown and Litchfield.

The new owner, Mike Orcutt, owns Domino’s Pizza restaurants in Myrtle Beach and Conway, as well those in Litchfield and Georgetown.

Orcutt now owns about 80 Domino’s restaurants, Green said.

The local supervisor for Domino’s Pizza is Adam Beck, Green said.

New menu items are now available at the local restaurants, Green said.

“We have eight different sandwiches,’’ Green said.

The restaurant, which employees about 15 people, is also taking applications for drivers, Green said.

He is looking for delivery drivers who can work nights and weekends.

Applications are being taken at the restaurant, Green said.

“I was ecstatic,’’ he said about the restaurant reopening. “The employees are happy.”

High unemployment

Meanwhile, Georgetown County’s unemployment level continues to rise, despite some employees returning to their former jobs.

The Georgetown steel mill remains closed, with no date set for reopening. Seasonal workers remain without work and the outlook for temporary work is bleak.  

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Economists in South Carolina said recently that the small amount of job growth won’t make a difference in the high unemployment rate.

“South Carolina continues to shed jobs,” said economist Don Schunk, a professor at Coastal Carolina University.

By Kelly M. Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com