Steve Cahalan: Arby's planning store in Onalaska

It has been more than 11 years since an Arbys restaurant has served roast beef sandwiches in the La Crosse area.

But an Omaha, Neb.-based franchisee hopes to start construction in early spring on an Arbys just south of Woodmans Food Market in Onalaska. The restaurant would open in early summer at the now-vacant site, between the state Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles building and the Microtel motel.

Franchisee DRM Inc. has entered into an agreement to buy the site, according to an application to the city of Onalaska for variances needed for a proposed new sign that would bear both Woodmans and Arbys names. The Onalaska Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing on the request at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Onalaska City Hall.

The sale is contingent on the sign.

The La Crosse area has been without an Arbys since another franchisees location in Valley View Mall closed in December 2003.

Weve wanted to open an Arbys in the greater La Crosse area for quite some time, said Abbey Ramsey, DRM director of marketing. We chose this site because it was one of the last remaining sites in Onalaskas primary retail corridor with high visibility from both I-90 and Hwy. 16, and high traffic counts. Not to mention the numerous customer requests weve received for an Arbys in the La Crosse area.

DRM owns and operates 68 Arbys restaurants in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin, including the one in Tomah.

Shogun Sushi and Hibachi restaurant opened Feb. 8 in a new building at the former Bakers Square restaurant site at 1227 Crossing Meadows Drive in Onalaska.

The Japanese restaurants owners live in the Twin Cities and own several other Japanese eateries. The new Onalaska restaurant serves a variety of upscale Japanese cuisine, including seafood, steak, chicken and vegetable courses with a Japanese flavor.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Brunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Dinner is served from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

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Steve Cahalan: Arby's planning store in Onalaska