FAIRLAWN: The city Planning Commission has approved a proposal to tear down the aging Wyant Buildings along West Market Street to make room for a new complex featuring two restaurants.
“That’s a big plus for that area,” Mayor Bill Roth said Friday. “Those buildings have outlived their use.”
The project, which has been estimated at $1 million, will get underway in mid- or late June, he said.
CoreLife Eatery and City Barbecue previously have been identified as the future restaurant tenants.
“We think Akron is a great place for us to be,” City Barbecue Vice President of Marketing Brian Hipsher said. “We’re super excited. Over the years, people come down here to Columbus and have the food and they say, ‘Why aren’t you up here yet?’ ”
The restaurant will be the Columbus-based chain’s first location in Northeast Ohio, but not its last.
“We are looking at several locations in Northeast Ohio. Stay tuned,” Hipsher said. “There will be some more.”
City Barbecue has more than 30 restaurants, but Hipsher said it doesn’t want to be seen as a big chain.
“We really pride ourselves on becoming a part of the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, CoreLife offers salad, grain and broth bowls and advertises itself as a healthy restaurant for active lifestyles.
Development Management Group of Nashville, Tenn., had been seeking approval from Fairlawn to raze the buildings at 2858 and 2872 W. Market St.
The project involves constructing a 9,280-square-foot building that will house the restaurants at the opposite ends and an unidentified retailer in the middle.
The Planning Commission signed off on the project Thursday.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .