Hula-hooping "Hooters girls" and dueling outdoor pianos kicked off the grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 23 of a new Hooters restaurant and casino at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive South.

It replaces Rascals Casino in the South Park area.

The 6,000-sqaure-foot casino in back of the restaurant will feature 15 table games, in varying combinations of Texas Hold-'em, Blackjack, Spanish 21, Pai Gow, Mini Baccarat and 4-card poker.

While in the up-front restaurant, the "Hooters girls" will wear the signature scanty orange and white uniforms, the female casino dealers will wear "a sexy combination of black vests and orange bow ties," according to a company press release. The dealers are all professional card handlers.

"I don't think we would have done the brand justice if we weren't bringing the aesthetic appeal of Hooters into the card room," Ed Pilarz, president of Altium Development, parent company of the local franchise, said.

Added Pilarz," We couldn't be prouder to stand behind this new space and use it to elevate the Hooters brand in such a way that allows our guests to experience more excitement and satisfaction than ever before.

"We've had positive feedback though the entire development phase and now with the doors open, our guests can experience the fun and excitement themselves."

The facility will also include a 2,000-square-foot dueling-piano bar.

The lounge area has a 40-foot bar and a 15-foot high definition video wall that will broadcast sporting events.

A walk-up express service window will be convenient for nearby Boeing employees and other shift-workers, according to Hooters officials.

The new general manager of the facility, Kim Best, has been employed by Hooters for 10 years. She began as a "Hooters girl."

Another Hooters facility will open soon in Renton with a modernized bowling alley.