Second Chipotle to be built east of downtown

The Denver-based chain known for its made-to-order burritos is preparing to build its second Springfield restaurant at the northeast corner of North National Avenue and St. Louis Street. Center City Motors, a used car dealership, previously occupied the half-acre parcel. Its office will be demolished to make way for the new restaurant.

Chipotle opened its first Springfield store earlier this summer at South Campbell Avenue and West Walnut Lawn Street after renovating the former Fiesta Ranchera Mexican restaurant at the intersection’s northeast corner.

Company spokesman Chris Arnold said the restaurant will be similar to its south-side counterpart in terms of size and appearance. Chipotle restaurants are typically between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet, he said.

Arnold declined to discuss the financial performance of Springfield’s first Chipotle, but he said the chain has flourished in the Midwest. “Generally speaking, we do well in that part of the country altogether,” he said.

Construction on the new restaurant officially began Sept. 4, and a city building permit lists the project cost at $500,000. Arnold said employees at the new Chipotle will be rolling up burritos for the restaurant’s first customers in early 2008.

Chipotle has more than 650 restaurants nationwide, with 13 in Missouri. The chain is on schedule to open between 110 and 120 new locations this year, Arnold said.

Chipotle has marketed itself as an alternative to fast food with an emphasis on natural ingredients. About 60 percent of chicken the company serves is naturally raised, as is about 40 percent of its beef, according to Chipotle’s Web site, www.chipotle.com.

Read SBJ’s Sept. 17 issue for more about Springfield’s second Chipotle.[[In-content Ad]]