The vacant Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe on South Campbell Avenue was torn down this week, paving the way for Panera Bread development plans announced in the fall.
Panera franchisee Traditional Bakery Inc. purchased the restaurant property in September with the intent of developing a multitenant retail center anchored by a Panera cafe. With the 4100 S. Campbell Ave. building razed, officials are moving forward on a $2 million, 8,000-square-foot development targeting a third-quarter completion.
Under JGTS LLC, Traditional Bakery owners Jim and Gaynell Magers and Dr. Tom and Sue Stees plan to relocate the Panera at 3837 S. Campbell Ave. and add a drive-thru. The project would be the second drive-thru conversion in Springfield, following the late
2013 transition at the East Battlefield Road Panera.
The St. Louis-based chain (Nasdaq: PNRA) has pushed the drive-thru concept in recent years, and the local franchisees have converted 13 of the 37 Panera stores under Traditional Bakery and Oklahoma City Bakery Inc.
“No other conversions are currently planned for Springfield, though I am watching for opportunities,” Traditional Bakery President Brian Camey said via email.
Camey said the franchisees plan to invest $1.2 million to infill the 5,000-square-foot South Campbell Avenue Panera. Some 3,000 square feet is available for lease, and he said R.B. Murray Co. officials currently are negotiating but no tenants have signed on yet.
Operators say the new Panera, which also will offer the franchise’s new rapid pick-up concept, will hire 15 workers in addition to the transfers from the current store.
Carlos O’Kelly’s operated on the site for about 20 years before the chain closed the restaurant
in March.
