Chipotle is coming to Athens.
Seriously.
After months of speculation, and to the delight of many Ohio University students, a lease was signed a week ago that will bring Chipotle to Athens, said Larry Payne, membership service coordinator for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant will move into the space at 41 S. Court St. that was vacated by Taco Bell in April. Exact terms of the lease were not disclosed.
Construction will begin in November and the restaurant is scheduled to open sometime during the first financial quarter of 2008, said Chris Arnold, a media representative for the Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. He also said to expect major changes to the building.
When we put a restaurant into an existing building
it gets a pretty thorough overhaul he said.
The news of the lease signing puts to rest years of rumors and wishes from OU students.
I'm so excited! It will be great to have one so close because there are none near where I am from in Texas said freshman Morgan Hidy.
The message board on the OU for Chipotle Facebook group has been buzzing with speculation from the more than 2,500 members the past few months, many of whom sent letters to Chipotle headquarters to voice their desire for a restaurant on campus.
I'm excited about it because now I don't have to drive over an hour to get a burrito
said group founder Katy Kelly.
The closest Chipotle location is in Lancaster, about 45 miles northwest of Athens.
It should be pretty exciting to have that on Court Street
and that will benefit everyone
Payne said.
Paul Wildeck, the owner of Burrito Buggy at the corner of Court and Union streets, might disagree. Chipotle's arrival would continue a movement of larger chain businesses coming to Athens in recent years, he said.
I'm disappointed but I just plan to carry on
said Wildeck, who hadn't heard about the lease signing before The Post contacted him. Burrito Buggy has a lot of loyal customers and we'll be there to serve them.
Burrito Buggy, which has been open for more than two decades, has seen little change in business since the closing of Taco Bell, he said. That closure came several months after the opening of a food court in Baker University Center, which hurt business for many Uptown bars and restaurants, he said.
Sophomore Aaron Fancey echoed this sentiment. He said that while he is OK with the plans for Chipotle, he also likes to support local business, and would hate to see a restaurant like Big Mama's go out of business. He also said he thinks Chipotle may be too expensive for the average student's budget.
Quinn Schaller, owner of Big Mamma's Burritos at 10 S. Court St., said he was aware that the lease had been signed but declined to comment further.
17
Archives
Kantele Franko
