From the Ground Up: Panera Bread

Owner/developer: JGTS LLC
General contractor: Corco Construction (Little Rock, Ark.)
Architect: LK Architecture Inc. (Wichita, Kan.)
Engineers: Terracon Consultants Inc. (Olathe, Kan.), civil; LK Architecture Inc., structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 8,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $2 million
Lender: Mid-Missouri Bank
Estimated completion: Sept. 8
Project description: JGTS LLC, the real estate company owned by Panera Bread franchisees Jim and Gaynell Magers, purchased the site of the former Carlos O’Kelly’s in September for an undisclosed amount. The franchisees, organized as Traditional Bakery Inc. with Dr. Thomas and Sue Stees, plan to relocate the 3837 S. Campbell Ave. Panera cafe to anchor the new multitenant retail center. Traditional Bakery President Brian Camey said the project will create the second Panera drive-thru in Springfield, following the late 2013 transition at 1570 E. Battlefield Road. The St. Louis-based chain (Nasdaq: PNRA) has pushed the drive-thru concept recently, and after completion of the South Campbell relocation, Traditional Bakery will have drive-thrus in 15 of its 37 Paneras, Camey said. At the multitenant center, 5,000 square feet is devoted to Panera, and 3,000 square feet is available for lease via R.B. Murray Co.

Send project info to bbrown@sbj.net.