Business & Tech
Update: City Plan Commission MIA, Buffalo Wild Wings Rescheduled
The iconic restaurant is looking at a space on Durand Avenue in front of Regency Mall, but the lack of a quorum at a scheduled Planning Commission meeting means company representatives have to come back on March 13.
**Updated 7:30 a.m. Feb. 28
Sports and wing lovers, your rejoicing about Buffalo Wild Wings opening in Racine may have to wait a little longer.
The Journal Times is reporting that a lack of a quorum Wednesday for a required public hearing with the city Plan Commission pushes the restaurant's opening back a few weeks.
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Only Attorney Elaine Ekes was in attendance while other members of the commission were out of town, rehabbing a house and didn't hear their phone ring, sick, plowing snow or driving a child somewhere. But, seven people from BW3 - as it's commonly known - were able to attend from various locations throughout the Midwest.
According to Jill Johannack, associate planner for the City of Racine, the company is looking at the location of the former Lone Star Steakhouse at 5880 Durand Avenue. That restaurant closed last November, and, according to a story that ran in The Journal Times, the company was retaining ownership of the land to potentially put up a new restaurant.
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Reporter Michael Burke quotes Regency Mall Manager Curt Pruitt as saying Wednesday he was embarrassed that this was how Racine was introduced and that one executive muttered, "'Welcome to Racine, Wis: not open for business.'"
A new date of March 13 has been set for another try at a public hearing, which is required because of the condition use permit BW3 will need to operate their restaurant.
Johannack confirmed that BW3 will tear down the Lone Star building and put up a new structure, but wasn't sure if the restaurants are owned by the same parent company.
"They do plan to demo the current structure and put up something completely new," she said. "I know they hope to be open this fall in time for the fall sports season."
Tracy Micheau, a regional marketing manager for Buffalo Wild Wings, confirmed a restaurant is slated to open here by the fourth quarter.
Paperwork submitted to the Plan Commission indicates the new restaurant means 30 new, full-time jobs for the area.
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