Not a lot of Logan / Cache Valley development news being posted, so I'm here to help with the exposure.
Article from the Herald Journal (Logan's newspaper) today:
http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/...2-06-13-09.txt
By Kim Burgess
staff writer
The economy may be down but Cache Valley’s restaurant scene is revving up.
In the next few months, at least four eateries are expected to open offering everything from steaks to frozen yogurt.
“I think the press Logan has received about low unemployment and stable economy is one reason for the attraction,” said Kirk Jensen, Logan’s economic development director.
He added that the university crowd is also a draw, something that was echoed by the owners of the new businesses.
All of the new restaurants offer moderately priced food that would appeal to students with tight finances.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE
LOCATION: Roughly 1300 N. Main St., adjacent to Cache Valley Mall
EXPECTED OPENING DATE: Aug. 31
MENU: Steaks, ribs, seafood, pulled pork, hamburgers, salads and chicken dishes
AVERAGE COST: $10 to $20
The large steakhouse chain with 325 restaurants in 46 states has finally made it to Cache Valley.
Some locals who heard about the new Texas Roadhouse are such fans that they’re considering taking the day off to attend the grand opening.
“Everyone in Logan will know about it,” said Travis Doster, spokesperson for the Louisville, Ky., company.
SPOON ME
LOCATION: Roughly 1307 N. Main next to Costa Vida
EXPECTED OPENING DATE: July 2
MENU: “Frozen yogurt minus the sin” in three flavors — natural, green tea or acai. Toppings include fruit, cereal and nuts.
AVERAGE COST: About $4 a serving.
The Salt Lake City-based chain of five stores is booming, adding four new locations including one in Logan.
“What sold me on owning a Spoon Me franchise was the core values of the company — good for the body, good for the community and good for the environment,” said Sue Measom, who owns local restaurant along with her husband, Ty. The couple previously started the successful company Camp Chef, which makes Dutch ovens.
Spoon Me CEO Ryan Combe added that Logan is a perfect location for the business because residents are health oriented. Since the first Spoon Me opened in 2007, Combe has gotten numerous calls from Cache Valley residents who wanted to bring it here.
“We are confident the people and community will embrace what Spoon Me stands for and its involvement in the community,” he said, explaining that Spoon Me accepts donations for a new local charity each month and provides a community board for volunteer activities.
JIMMY JOHN’S
LOCATION: 1482 N. Main St.
EXPECTED OPENING DATE: Mid-August
MENU: Gourmet sub and club sandwiches with names like Vito and Bootlegger Club.
AVERAGE COST: $4.50 to $5.50 per sandwich.
Restaurant owner Brad Oldroyd says he is excited to open Cache Valley’s first location of the national sandwich chain. He noted that Jimmy John’s tend to perform well with the college crowd and is already looking into opening a second one at the south end of the valley.
“It’s the best sandwich you can find,” Oldroyd said, adding that the restaurants are also known for fast in-house service and delivery.
A Logan native, Oldroyd now lives in Farmington and owns four Chevrons along the Wasatch Front.
BEEHIVE GRILL
LOCATION: 255 S. Main St., former location of Blackstone
EXPECTED OPENING DATE: End of June
MENU: Steaks, pasta, seafood, vegetarian; 90-capacity bar
AVERAGE COST: $8 to $15 per entr/e
This new restaurant will have something for everyone, according to Front House Manager Amy Sharp.
“There won’t be anything like us in Cache Valley,” she said.
Beehive Grill will brew its own root beer as well as offering a bar — making it a stop for families and those seeking nightlife.
Formerly Blackstone, the building’s interior has been totally redesigned with an outdoors theme including bikes, boats and hang gliders.
Beehive Grill will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner — a bonus for those who like to eat out on Sundays.
QDOBA
LOCATION: Not selected yet
EXPECTED OPENING DATE: 9 to 12 months
MENU: Burritos, tacos, nachos and salads made to order.
AVERAGE COST: $7 to $9
The Denver-based chain is still searching for a franchise partner in Cache Valley but is determined to come to the area.
If they do, Logan would have the first Qdoba in Utah.
Todd Owen, vice president of development, said he would like to have two valley locations — one devoted to the university crowd and the other more community oriented.
With a total of 60 to 80 new restaurants set to open this year, Qdoba is the most rapidly growing fast casual franchise in the U.S. There are currently about 500 Qdobas in 42 states.
Owen attributed that success to Qdoba’s healthy, tasty food offered at a reasonable price.
“In the Utah area, we see great potential that we haven’t tapped into yet,” Owen said.
Some other development in the area.
- Riverwoods Complex (Marriot hotel, conference center, and 5-story office building)
- New Walmart (second in Logan)
- Walgreens
- New education research center (USU)
- New building at Innovation Campus (business park / mixture of USU and private companies)
I'll add more about these (with pics) in the near future.