The battle for supremacy in Redding's crowded fast-casual chicken restaurant industry continues to heat up.
A few weeks ago, we told you that the old Costco Wholesale building on Dana Drive would soon be coming back to life, with Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers replacing Chili's.
Now, it's time to jump into the national franchising ring, and one local real estate agent told me it's on many people's wish lists.
Ken Miller of Northstate Commercial Partners said work has begun on tenant improvements for Wingstop in the former European Wax Center at the Safeway Lowe's shopping center east of Redding.
Similar to Buffalo Wild Wings a few years ago, Miller said he lost count of the number of times he was asked, “Can you get a Wingstop in Redding?”
“It was probably one of two or three phone calls I got, and it went on forever. It was, 'Would you like to have a Wingstop in Redding?' And about that. I felt personally responsible for that,” Miller said.
But we are still waiting for Buffalo Wild Wings. More on that later.
Wingstop's new home is just two doors down from Habit Burger Grill, so that side of Churn Creek Road and East Cypress Avenue in the center is likely to be even busier.
“Havit does a tremendous amount of business there,” Miller said.
Wingstop joins Raising Cane's, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Popeyes, Chicken Shack and Wing Spot.
Miller said he was told Wingstop had signed a lease for the 1,300-square-foot space and that it would take about 72 days to open once construction began. That means Wingstop in Redding could start greeting customers in June.
The shrinking space is a sign of the times, Miller said. Like Panera Bread, which opened in Redding late last year, Wingstop is rethinking its brick-and-mortar store footprint.
Initially, Wingstop was looking at a 2,000 square foot space. “With COVID-19, people have turned to all kinds of food delivery services,” Miller said.
Wingstop looked at how much of its business was takeout and delivery, and how much was dine-in, and Miller said he was told dine-in business made up about 20% of sales. Ta.
“They thought, 'Why do we have all these tables if no one's using them?' 1,300 square feet is fine,” Miller said.
Wingstop did not respond to an email sent to its media department.
Meanwhile, Miller said Buffalo Wild Wings is also focusing on smaller versions of its sports bars as customers lean toward ordering takeout and delivery.
And they have scouted the Reading market.
“They're basically in big competition with Wingstop right now. They're on the market and looking around for spots (in Reading as well),” Miller said.
stay tuned.
New children's clothing and toy specialty stores are looking for items that can be used with care.
Once Upon a Child, a locally owned used children's clothing, toys and other accessories store in Reading, recently opened.
But the store in the Village Plaza shopping center on Athens Avenue, next to Sherwin-Williams Paints, isn't ready to start selling yet.
That can't happen until Once Upon a Child has enough inventory to open its shelves to shoppers.
To that end, the store opened its doors to the public on March 12th. The public brought clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, books, high chairs, and other items to Once Upon a Child for sale.
Co-owner Emily Ma said if she likes a product, she makes an offer on the spot and pays the customer.
Ma owns the franchise with her husband, Andrew. The Marr family was living in Toronto when she discovered Once Upon a Child. They had just had twins and were looking for an affordable children's retailer. They moved to North State in her 2022, but found out there was no Once Upon a Child store in Reading.
Andrew said it had been a long journey but he was looking forward to opening. The Marses estimate it will take about two months to stock the store and hope to have a grand opening sometime in May.
“The faster people come in and sell, the faster we can get to that point,” Emily said.
The store is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
more:What we're talking about: This Mexican restaurant has a new name and is family-friendly. Is Reading Macy's safe?
Emily said she has received a lot of clothes so far. Some things that could be put to better use include high chairs, strollers, and pack-and-play cribs.
Items the store won't buy include car seats and bicycle helmets.
Veterans Village: 'No life support'
A few days after I updated about the Shasta Lake Veterans Village two weeks ago, I got a call from project coordinator Brad Long.
Long, of the Veterans Housing Development Corporation, said he is committed to seeing the project through to completion.
Long said they have applied for about $4 million in low-income tax credits and should know by this summer whether they will get it.
The project also has a development partner, Kingdom Development, a Riverside-based affordable housing organization, Long said.
“They have been in development for over 20 years and have done multiple low-income projects. They also have expertise in low-income tax credits,” Long said.
Long said he is as frustrated as anyone that the project has been plagued by delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, rising material costs and rising interest rates due to inflation.
Cost increases have pushed the project's price tag to about $15 million, Long said.
The Veterans Village is planned for the corner of Locust and Meade streets, south of Shasta Dam Boulevard and behind the Dollar Tree. The three-story, 30-unit complex will house disabled and low-income veterans.
Chico's BCM is a general contractor.
“It's not on life support. We're just getting more money going into it,” Long said.
David Benda covers all things business, development and more for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes a weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He is part of a dedicated team of reporters who investigate fraud, report on breaking news, and tell other stories about our community. Contact him at X (formerly Twitter) @DavidBenda_RS or call 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this effort, please subscribe today.
