ALLENTOWN, Pa. -

A Liberty Street convenience store will be remodeled into a combination restaurant and storage facility after garnering the blessing of the Allentown Zoning Hearing Board Monday night.

Zoners, who heard arguments concerning The Campus Shop at 2301-2303 Liberty Street last month,grantedaspecial use applicationfiled by theOSBATT Development, LLC by a 2-1 margin.

Chairman Daniel McCarthy and Juan Camacho voted in favor of the application with Michael Engle casting a dissenting vote.

Zoning Hearing Board member R. Scott Unger did not vote.

McCarthy said the proposed 1,695 square foot restaurant is a very low intensity use, would generate significant walk-in trafficand not adversely affect the neighborhood.

Conditions for proposed restaurant include that it will not serve liquor, will close by 10 p.m., have a maximum load of 30 patrons, and would not utilize the roof. Deliveries leaving the restaurant by car are also not allowed under the conditions.

Jason Lund, of OSBATT Development, said he has talked to five potential food service operators, but does not have a restaurant tenant for the building, located across from Muhlenberg College.

Lund said the walk-in storage business in the building's basement will hold high school-sized lockers as a convenience pay service for college students.

The top floor will sport a remodeled four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment, said Lund, who is in the process of purchasing the building from its current owners.

Read the rest here:
Allentown zoners OK plan for Liberty Street convenience store

Savvy restauranteurs are as fresh and innovative as the food they serve. While diners view fast-food restaurants as convenience on a budget, they want more from other dining-out experiences. Given the rising costs of fuel and food, todays diners expect their investment to be personalized, enjoyable and quite possibly, a two-three hour reality-escape with culinary-wow. Successful owners and investors know that the right restaurant designer and contractor can turn a plan on paper into an experience worth remembering. And that adds up to word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business.

Recent trends show restaurants becoming smaller, greener and turning up in unlikely places. To capture more of a shrinking market, owners are becoming more innovative in their cuisine and restaurant design and aware of potential appeal to different demographic markets. But, before settling on a concept or design, owners must make basic decisions that will affect their return on investment: Do I go with new construction? Do I convert an existing restaurant site or a non-restaurant site? Or, do I consolidate my restaurant with another food establishment or related business?

Michael Mihos Construction blends function, style and a hands-on approach in their restaurant designs and renovations. With decades of experience, Michael Mihos Construction can guide you through the staggering number of decisions necessary for building or renovating a restaurant.

A lion sculpture proudly stands guard at the Golden Lion Tavern in San Diegos Gaslamp Quarter daring any more disruptions. The Golden Lion Tavern, built in 1906, has weathered Prohibition, several address changes, a major fire and a return to its original location. After the establishment was gutted by fire in the 80s, Michael Mihos Construction took on its restoration and redesign and crafted it into a restaurant with personality and functionality. The restaurant features a spectacular stained-glass domed ceiling; several beautiful, one-of-a-kind murals; a 25-stool bar; and a kitchen designed to produce mouth-watering meals.

Golden Lion Tavern 801 4th AvenueSan Diego, CA Restaurant Design

Excerpt from:
Restaurant Construction Renovation Remodel Design San ...

CRESWELL, Ore. Word is quickly spreading around Creswell that the bar at TJs is back open after a fire shut down the business for the last four months. In just a few weeks, the restaurant will be serving its popular dishes in the newly remodeled dining room.

From a pile of ashes to a brand new bar, thereve been a lot of changes at TJs Restaurant during the past four months. When the fire hit us it totally destroyed the entire contents. So we went all the way back to the studs an so everything you see here is brand new, said Tom Nelson, TJs Restaurant owner.

Investigators originally estimated it would cost around $300,000 to repair the restaurant, but the smoke damaged all of the equipment so badly that everything had to be replaced. Now were in at a little over $800,000 and that will go higher probably closer to $900,000 when its all said and done, said Nelson.

While the bar stools sat empty on this Easter Sunday, theyve been full of customers old and new during the past few days. All of our business has come back and in addition to that weve picked up some new younger clientele because the bar now is so much for older citizens, but for younger citizens in the community as well, said Nelson.

With a new color scheme and more TVs, the changes to the bar are apparent. Theyll also be obvious once the restaurant construction is complete. We have 130 items on the menu, but we wanted to add a few dinner menu items which weve done. Were not changing the menu pricing. Were not changing the existing items, were just adding to it, said Nelson.

But while the spot pretty much has a whole new look, the owner said people who crave a late night breakfast can still find their favorite dishes on the menu at any time of the day. So we want our community to know that were going to be right back where we were before the fire occurred, said Nelson.

Nelson said his goal was to be up and running at the beginning of May because just under half of their business comes from people driving through the area during the summer.

View original post here:
Creswell Restaurant Reopening After Fire

Revamped McDonalds restaurant at Clifton Moor creates 40 new jobs

11:12am Thursday 17th April 2014 in News By Laura Knowlson, Business editor

Forty new jobs have been created in York as fast food chain McDonalds re-opens its Clifton Moor restaurant.

The restaurant, which has undergone a redesign, is now under the ownership of new franchisee John Atherton, alongside the Monks Cross, Blake Street, and Designer Outlet McDonalds.

Mr Atherton and his wife Ann held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of Clifton Moor, which is one of only a handful of restaurants in the UK to feature McDonalds new wood and stone design.

Dining tables in the restaurant now include built in Samsung tablets, while the restaurant itself includes leather Chesterfield sofas, designer lighting and free Wi-Fi.

Mr Atherton said: As a local businessman, I understand the importance of investing in the community, so its great to be able to play a part in the re-generation of the area and bring an extra boost to the local economy.

Its not just about providing a fresh, new environment though; I also believe in investing in my people and am delighted to be able to create around 40 new jobs as a result of the re-design.

"With excellent training programmes and career opportunities, including the apprenticeship scheme, on offer to all of McDonalds employees, I hope the roles will appeal to a broad spectrum of people across York.

The refurbishment has also included a new concept drive-thru aimed at giving customers a quicker and smoother experience when ordering, along with enabling them to place bespoke orders.

Link:
Revamped restaurant creates 40 new jobs

Nanggu Bali Island Development by Palm3Beach and SpaceLineDesign Architects
Beautiful 30 acre tropical island development with 20 majestic modern villas, spa restaurant, private beaches and 20m yacht dockage. Jeff Page of SpaceLineDe...

By: Jeff Page

Read the rest here:
Nanggu Bali Island Development by Palm3Beach and SpaceLineDesign Architects - Video

Friday, April 18, 11:55 AM EDT

By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

Edwin Watts Holding Co. is the landlord. The 167-seat caf is at the northern end of the building.

The first caf for the Dallas-based company is being developed at the Shoppes on Riverside in Downtowns Riverside area and is expected to open late this year.

The city is reviewing plans for tenant improvements for Corner Bakery Caf Southpoint in more than 4,300 square feet of space, along with an outdoor patio, at the Bonneval location. The project cost is $550,000. No contractor was identified.

Corner Bakery Caf is a fast-casual restaurant that offers made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as catering.

Downtown, the Corner Bakery will occupy a 4,000-square-foot building under construction at 192 Riverside Ave. in front of The Fresh Market.

In September, the company said it plans to open as many as 10 restaurants in the area as part of a multi-unit restaurant franchise agreement with Lee Wesley Group LLC, whose manager is Arthur Lee, president and CEO of Lee, Wesley & Associates LLC, Lee Wesley Group LLC and Lee Wesley Restaurants LLC.

Lee Wesley Group LLC also owns and operates several Panda Express, Burger King, Nathans Famous, Auntie Annes and Taco Bell restaurants.

Corner Bakery Caf says its made-to-order menu features hot breakfast scramblers, paninis and sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, pastas and sweets.

Read the original here:
Corner Bakery plans Bonneval Road caf

Tex-Mex enthusiasts will have a new restaurant to frequent later this year as Gringos Mexican Kitchen will open its 11th Houston-area location in Spring.

Construction recently started at 19330 Interstate 45 North near Top Golf and will be finished by September, Director of Operations Frank Martinucci said. The restaurant will employ around 140 staff members with a mix of full-time and part-time positions and will feature a patio, bar area and a playground for children in the waiting area.

Martinucci said the company has wanted to move toward The Woodlands and take advantage of the rapid growth in the area.

Its a great location along the highway; and when we heard Top Golf was opening, it was a good thing that really helped seal the deal, Martinucci said.

The restaurant will be modeled after the most recent design, which was incorporated into the Gringos Mexican Kitchen in Cypress, built in 2012, Martinucci said. The restaurant offers fun colors, plenty of booth seating, artwork and other decorations. A banquet room will be available for large parties and other events.

A daily schedule for the restaurant has not been finalized, but it probably will be similar to other Gringos locations, Martinucci said.

Our closing times will probably vary between 9 and 10 p.m. depending on the day of the week and what the local community desires, Martinucci said.

For more information about Gringos Mexican Kitchen, visit http://www.gringosmexicankitchen.com.

Read the rest here:
Construction begins on new Gringos restaurant in Spring

Responding to community uproar over a planned McDonalds drive-thru restaurant near Gonzaga University, the Spokane City Council this week imposed an emergency six-month moratorium on similar projects along Hamilton Street in the Loganneighborhood.

Its a largely symbolic effort since the moratorium wont stop construction of the drive-thru at Augusta Avenue and North Hamilton Street, nor are there any other similar projects in the pre-planning stages at thispoint.

But it gives the neighborhood an opportunity to put the finishing touches on new development standards intended to promote a pedestrian-friendlyatmosphere.

We have some holes in our

You have viewed 20 free articles or blogs allowed within a 30-day period. FREE registration is now required for uninterrupted access.

S-R Media, The Spokesman-Review and Spokesman.com are happy to assist you. Contact Customer Service by email or call 800-338-8801

Responding to community uproar over a planned McDonalds drive-thru restaurant near Gonzaga University, the Spokane City Council this week imposed an emergency six-month moratorium on similar projects along Hamilton Street in the Loganneighborhood.

Its a largely symbolic effort since the moratorium wont stop construction of the drive-thru at Augusta Avenue and North Hamilton Street, nor are there any other similar projects in the pre-planning stages at thispoint.

But it gives the neighborhood an opportunity to put the finishing touches on new development standards intended to promote a pedestrian-friendlyatmosphere.

We have some holes in our current design standards, said Councilwoman Amber Waldref, whose district includes the Logan neighborhood. What we found with the McDonalds development is that theres clearly someinconsistencies.

Originally posted here:
Council puts hold on additional projects like McDonalds on Hamilton - Thu, 17 Apr 2014 PST

Article updated: 4/16/2014 5:29 PM

A third Chicago area Ditka's Restaurant will open this summer at the Trackside Off-Track Betting facility on the grounds of Arlington International Racecourse. The full-service restaurant will include space for private dining and banquets, officials said.

Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer

A third Chicago area location of Ditka's Restaurant will open in Arlington Heights this summer on the grounds of Arlington International Racecourse, officials said Wednesday.

Ditka's, owned by and named for former Chicago Bears player and coach Mike Ditka, will open in the Arlington Trackside Off-Track Betting facility at the northwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road by July 1, said Howard Sudberry, senior director of marketing and communications for the track.

"I'm very happy to be involved with Arlington. They do things in a first-class manner," Ditka said in a news release. "I can't think of a better location than Trackside at Arlington. It is exciting to be opening a third Ditka's in Chicagoland."

The opening will be kind of a homecoming for Dikta, who operated a restaurant at Trackside in the late 1980s after the fire at Arlington Park.

The new Arlington Heights location will operate as a full restaurant in the dining room area on the first floor of the off-track betting facility. It will include space for private dining and banquet options, Sudberry said.

Betting will not be allowed in the restaurant, but there will still be space for off-track betting in another section of the first floor and the entire second floor of the facility, officials said.

"We are excited to able to team with Coach Ditka to bring this kind of quality restaurant to our customers and to the people of the Northwest suburbs," Arlington Racetrack General Manager Tony Petrillo said in a release. "His restaurants are known to have the same high standards as Arlington."

Continued here:
Ditka's Restaurant opening at Arlington Trackside

Greeley will soon be home to Colorados largest piece of a popular East Coast burger franchise.

Steak n Shake is coming to Centerplace shopping center, with construction starting next week.

Some would call it the In and Out Burger of the East Coast.

Its a very popular restaurant. Ive built three of them and there are lines out the door, said Brian Fine, of Fine Builders, which will build the new Greeley location, directly south of Best Buy with frontage along the U.S. 34 Bypass.

The fast-food restaurant is part of a growing wave of development at Centerplace, which kicked into a higher gear this year with the opening of Tokyo Joes and Village Inn taking over the old TGI Fridays location, in addition to new construction of Ulta Salon and Beauty store, set to go right next door to the Steak n Shake. There are only two more lots left, both east of Ulta, that can develop the third phase, said Carlin Barkeen, a planner with the city of Greeley.

This is in addition to the construction going on south of the main shopping center with the additions of Panera, Chick-fil-A, and the forthcoming Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Steak n Shake, founded in 1934 in Indiana, has about 500 restaurants peppered throughout the Midwest and Eastern seaboard. It has been slow to franchise out West, with only a handful west of Kansas. It boasts several varieties of steakburgers and fries, shakes and sundaes, and breakfast items.

Fine said at 3,750 square feet, the Greeley Steak n Shake will be the largest in Colorado (about 400 square feet larger in the kitchen area). There are already three such restaurants in the state two in Denver and one in Colorado Springs.

Fine said the franchiser of the Greeley restaurant, which he would not name, also has been looking at locations in Loveland and Fort Collins, but the Greeley site became available first.

They are exploring property in all of that northern Colorado area, Fine said. It was just hard to find. This was the first that came available and accessible.

Follow this link:
Steak n Shake to open soon at Centerplace in Greeley