New restaurant chains look at Fremont Pike sites

11/16/2011

Perrysburg Township's bustling commercial hub will grow busier as several new chains could be coming to the area.

The township's zoning commission granted permission for a Chipotle Mexican Grill and Tim Hortons to be built at a new location at 10711 Fremont Pike in front of the Holiday Inn Express, said Grant Garn, who serves as the township's zoning inspector and administrator.

The gas station at the site will be torn down before the building is erected.

Developer Kenneth Hicks said he hoped to open the two businesses in summer 2012.

The next step is for the developer to get a zoning permit and then a building permit, Mr. Garn said.

In addition to the Chipotle and Tim Hortons, there could also be a new Chick-fil-A and the Dollar Tree, which is now located in Rossford, opening on Fremont, Mr. Garn said.

Although the project is still in the negotiating phase between the land owners and the developers, the Dollar Tree could open by Hobby Lobby and Office Max.

The proposed Chick-fil-A would be built in front of Kohl's Department Stores, the township official said.

Over the past decade, Fremont Pike has steadily grown with more restaurants and shopping, although the economic development has slowed down more recently because of the down economy.

The new businesses were a good sign things were improving, Mr. Garn said.

"We've held our own," Mr. Garn said.

"There's a large amount of traffic on Fremont Pike. That has a lot to do with development."