THACKERVILLE, OKLA -- We told you “Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill” was coming to Winstar earlier this year. Now work on the new restaurant is underway. A casino spokesperson says the new restaurant is just one more amenity that will make Winstar a world-wide destination, while adding to the local economy. Shelby Levins reports.

You can hear the sounds of growth inside the Winstar World Casino, as snow falls outside. This winter marks the one-year anniversary of the completion of the casino's expansion project. Spokeswoman Kym Koch says Winstar is now one of the largest casinos in the world, and a major employer here locally.

"In 2008 before the expansion the employees at the casino (numbered) roughly around 1,700 and now were at about 2,700,” Koch said.

But even more temporary jobs are opening up, as construction workers build the interior of “Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill.” When the restaurant opens in early 2010, permanent staff will be hired.

"It will just be a positive step obviously for the economy around Thackerville. But then also we're really glad to have this brand associated with Winstar World Casino. We think it will make it even more a destination resort.

Noah Stavlo is one of countless people who make the trip up from Texas to visit the casino. Winstar now stretches half a mile from end to end. And Stavlo says "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill" will just be another attraction.

"I've been to his in Oklahoma city in Brick Town and it's really cool. I think it's just one more thing that makes you want to come up here. The more they have here the more you want to come,” Stavlo explained.

While it may be hard to see now, Koch says the new restaurant will be able to accommodate about 400 guests, and will provide dozens of jobs in the area. Koch says this is just another step to keeping Winstar a local economic pillar while making it a worldwide destination.

"Depending on what kind of list you're looking at - if you're looking square footage or number of machines, Winstar is ranked either third or fifth in the world,” Koch said.

Spokeswoman Kym Koch says “Toby Keith's I Love This Bar a Grill" will have a sports bar feel, with some special touches from Oklahoma native Mr. Toby Keith himself. For example, Koch says half of one of the county music star's pick up trucks will actually be mounted to the wall.

Koch says the casino hopes to have the new bar and grill open by February of 2010.