Thirteen months of waiting have finally come to an end.

Thursday’s “soft-opening” of the food court marks the end of the $4.5 million construction project that began last January in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The “soft-opening” is a test run to make sure the food court’s operations are running smoothly, Shirley Stewart, vice president for Student Affairs, said Wednesday.

“(It is) an opportunity for cooks to use the equipment,” she said. “To make sure there aren’t any problems.”

Although the food court is open to the public, it will not be fully stocked and offer all food options until its “official opening” on Friday. Stewart said Equipment is still being brought in, some tables need to be assembled and signs need to be put up.

Stewart said serving food to students “can still happen” but they don’t want a crowd on the “soft-opening.”

“It may not have all the food cooked and available for everyone,” Stewart said. “(It is) the day where the final touches are being put on to the food court.”

Wednesday, new tile was laid down over the old lobby shop tile and a “wand” fire door was installed where the food court meets the rest of the Union. The fire door is designed to contain a fire to within the food court and not spread throughout the Union, Stewart said.

The new food court has two new restaurants and grab n’ go items along with Subway and Chick-fil-a.

The Panther Grille offers hamburgers, hot dogs, different kinds of french fries, appetizers, garlic and cheese bread as well as Connie’s Pizza.

The Charleston Market has a daily rotating menu of various ethnic foods such as Chinese and Mexican and the food is more of a “plate lunch,” Stewart said. The renovations have allowed the food court to house 400 seats, doubling the size of the old food court.

Friday is the official opening and Stewart said she expects students to be impressed with the renovations.

“Students coming in there are going to be wowed by the food court,” she said.

Intended hours for the Food Court are weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekend hours will be shorter.