No local Buffalo Wild Wings for now

Buffalo Wild Wings, the Minneapolis-based restaurant and sports bar chain, has talked with developers of Tanglewood Pavilion but has no current plans to locate in Elizabeth Citys newest shopping center.

Chris Hake, director of retail development for Thompson Thrift, the Indiana-based firm developing Tanglewood Pavilion, confirmed his firms discussions with the popular eatery that specializes in chicken wings.

Hake said Thompson Thrift has been advised Elizabeth City is on Buffalo Wild Wings list for future expansion, but no local restaurant is currently planned.

We will continue to follow up with representatives from BWW as the project gets closer to grand opening, Hake said in a recent email.

Construction on Tanglewood Pavilion, which is located off Halstead Boulevard Extended adjacent to the Shoppes at Tanglewood, began in September and is expected to be complete by either late summer or early fall of next year.

A number of retail giants, including T.J. Maxx, Ross Dress for Less and Hobby Lobby, have already committed to locating stores at Tanglewood Pavilion. Zaxbys, the Georgia-based restaurant chain that also specializes in chicken wings, also has announced plans to build a restaurant in the new shopping center.

It was in fact a discussion about new restaurants that might locate at Tanglewood Pavilion that spurred the most recent speculation that Buffalo Wild Wings is also looking to expand here.

At a 4th Ward citizens meeting several weeks ago, Mayor Joe Peel mentioned Zaxbys commitment to build a restaurant here and then went on to say there was a possibility Buffalo Wild Wings might come as well.

City Manager Rich Olson noted that Buffalo Wild Wings has a very aggressive expansion plan in North Carolina. He also noted that Thompson Thrift representatives are in talks with the restaurant chain.

Representatives of Buffalo Wild Wings did not return repeated phone messages last week. The company did, however, respond by email, confirming what Hake had said about its current plans.

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No local Buffalo Wild Wings for now