Operations of the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle have been taken over full-time by Billie Van Dyke, wife of the late Louis Van Dyke.

Louis Van Dyke died in late November. The Savannah-area native and his wife opened the Blue Willow in 1991.

 The elegant 107-year-old mansion turned restaurant at 294 N. Cherokee Road is a community landmark that attracts tour bus loads of visitors to Social Circle. It is known for its upscale Southern cuisine and has earned multiple awards from Southern Living magazine. The late columnist Lewis Grizzard also was a fan.

A press conference is scheduled for Friday afternoon to discuss the future of the restaurant.