A second location of Chipotle Mexican Grill appears to be in the works for Lafayette, LA at 3220 Johnston Street, following the planned demolition of the building currently housing Sticks Billiards and Spirits, Dawn Nails, and the Johnston Street Coin Laundry.
According to reporting from The Advocate, the property has been purchased by New Orleans-based developer Craig Ripley, who plans to demolish the existing structure to make way for the new Chipotle location. Ripley has also been involved in several recent Lafayette projects, including the development of the Starbucks and the former Capital One building that opened along Louisiana Avenue last year.
See former Capital One—now Starbucks: https://developinglafayette.com/wp/new-standalone-starbucks-at-i-10-louisiana-avenue-set-to-open-at-the-end-of-september/
The current tenants at 3220 Johnston Street have already begun the process of relocating. Sticks Billiards and Spirits, which has operated at the location since 1992, confirmed to The Advocate that it plans to relocate. Dawn Nails is also preparing to move and has filed permits to build a new location inside the shopping center at 4651 Johnston Street. The Johnston Street Coin Laundry is currently still operating as well, though its future location has not yet been confirmed.
For now, all three businesses remain open and will continue operating until their relocations are completed.
The proposed Chipotle would become Lafayette’s second location for the fast-casual restaurant chain. The city’s first Chipotle opened at 4231 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Suite 101, inside the Ambassador Crossing shopping center near Whole Foods Market.
The Starbucks that never was
Interestingly enough, the redevelopment activity is happening directly next door to a newly constructed building at the former Wendy’s site on Johnston Street that was originally built for a new Starbucks but is no longer expected to become a Starbucks location. That building—previously home to Burger Tyme—is currently available for lease and includes a completed drive-thru, outdoor patio area, landscaping, and parking. So if you’re a local coffee shop or business needing a drive-thru, this may just be your shot. Shoot it!
See former Star-Burger-Tyme-bucks space: https://developinglafayette.com/wp/new-starbucks-on-johnston-moving-into-second-phase-of-construction/
At this time, no timeline has been announced for the demolition of the existing building or construction of the proposed Chipotle.
We typically wait for formal plans, renderings, or permits before reporting on projects such as this. However, because of the prominence of the corner and the long-standing presence of businesses such as Sticks Billiards and Spirits, we decided to share with you.
More on this project as tangible details come along.
Nerds.
