“During Plan Hamilton discussions, we received significant amounts of input from younger residents who wanted more fast-casual restaurant options,” said Hamilton City Manager Joshua Smith. “High on that list were Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Joella’s Hot Chicken and Panera Bread.”
Smith said the city’s staff has worked with developers and landowners to identify opportunities and locations to bring these dining options to the city.
Tom Vanderhorst, executive director of external services in Hamilton, said the Raising Cane’s restaurant is the first of coming developments planned for the city, specifically more dining options.
“It just makes sense. Whenever you get new restaurants, it just seems like the more the merrier with that industry,” he said. “There’s a lot of good stuff happening. It’s unbelievable how many cool things are happening in our town.”
Developers will demolish the vacant former Aaron’s location on Main Street before it can construct a new restaurant. The location is in the 1400 block of Main Street, next to Bob Evans and across from Kroger.
Vanderhorst said based on the plans, “it’s a good-looking store.”
“It’s one of their newer models,” he said.
The restaurant is believed to be “a sign” of things coming to the city because the new sports complex Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill, which is planned to open in 2021, officials said
“The city really pushed all in for the Spooky Nook Sports Complex to come in and got things in under the wire before the COVID pandemic broke out,” Vanderhorst said. “I just think that whole area – Main Street down to the complexes – it’s going to be a district. It’s going to be cool.”
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