News
Texas Roadhouse Presents Plans To Planning Commission
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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A consultant for Texas Roadhouse met with the Athens Planning Commission on Thursday to introduce the restaurant chain’s plans to open a location in the parking lot of The Market on State.
Emily Bernahl spoke of the restaurant’s preliminary plans to the commission on Thursday. She said the Louisville, Ky.-based company plans to begin building between 25-30 new restaurants in the U.S. this year, including Athens.
The location for the Athens restaurant will be in the parking lot of The Market on State where a portion of the Athens Farmers Market operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Bernahl said the standard operating hours for Texas Roadhouse are 4-10 p.m., Monday-Friday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday; and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday.
Athens Service-Safety Director and planning commission member Paula Horan Moseley said that Saturday’s hours of operation would conflict with the Athens Farmers Market.
On Thursday, Brent Hayes, co-owner of The Market on State, told The Messenger there have been talks to move the farmers market further east in the parking lot closer to the Athena Grande movie theater.
Bernahl said the restaurant will seat approximately 245 guests and will employ around 150 people.
Athens City Code Enforcement Director John Paszke said that there appears to be adequate parking for the restaurant in the existing lot and that no variances will likely need granted for the restaurant to move forward with its plan.
Formal plans will have to be reviewed by various city officials including the fire and police chiefs, and the director of engineering and public works and approved by the Athens Planning Commission before construction can begin.
Paszke said formal plans are expected to be brought before the planning commission in the coming months.