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SALEM -- A spokesman for Carnegie Companies Inc. said they're expecting a late fall opening for Chipotle Mexican Grill this year on the corner property at 2203 E. State St. where the True North Shell station stood a year ago.
Cole Pesses, Director of Acquistions & Dispositions for the property management firm in Solon, said Friday the company is working on the plans and getting all the necessary approvals to break ground in the spring for construction of the popular eatery. Chipotle features Mexican dishes such as burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and salads and all types of toppings with a choice of meats.
Carnegie Companies is overseeing the construction of the building and then will turn it over to Chipotle.
"They've got a good brand and they're a strong tenant," Pesses said.
News broke Thursday about Chipotle Mexican Grill finalizing a lease for the property at the corner of East State and Southeast Boulevard near RiteAid. The spot is just east of Salem Regional Medical Center and west of the Eastgate Plaza where Giant Eagle is located.
City Zoning Officer Chip Hank confirmed Thursday that he received an email late that afternoon from Carnegie Companies Inc. regarding the lease, along with drawings for the restaurant which will include a pick-up window.
Rumors had been going for well over a year or longer about the possibility of a Chipotle coming to Salem, but nothing was official until now.
Pesses said Carnegie Companies also owns the property where Giant Eagle is situated and developed the properties to the west of the store, including the storefronts housing businesses such as Pet Valu and the recently opened Action Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Inc. The company also developed the Fresenius Medical Care property and owns properties on either side that are ripe for development.
"We like the city of Salem. We're excited to see some new activity," he said.
The lease plans submitted for the Chipotle site show a 2,325-square-foot building, with the drive entry for the pick-up window on the east side, traveling west and turning south to the pick-up window on the Southeast Boulevard side of the building.
The restaurant also has locations nearby in Canfield, Boardman, Austintown and Alliance.