Chipotle to open in former Rotelli location

By Elise Franco | October 8, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Austintown

A popular Mexican-food franchise soon will open along the township’s main business corridor.

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open at 5553 Mahoning Ave., the former Rotelli Italian Grille and Bar storefront in the Weston Plaza, said township Zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli.

Red Architecture and Planning LLC submitted plans for the space in a letter dated Aug. 22, about the same time Crivelli said Rotelli vacated its lease through Landmark Real Estate Services Inc.

Tom Niemi, a Landmark associate, declined to comment Friday on the cost of the project or when it will be completed. Crivelli said though he doesn’t know the cost, he thinks the restaurant will be open by the end of the year.

“They’ll be renovating the inside and probably expanding a little bit,” Crivelli said. “We’re glad they chose to come to Austintown and fill that tenant space.”

The restaurant plans to use the existing outdoor seating area and patio, making room for 20 seats outside, along with seating for 55 inside, according to a letter from the Columbus-based architecture firm.

Jim Davis, Austintown trustee, said the township’s continual commercial growth is promising.

“The Austintown community has so many different restaurants to choose from. You can drive down Mahoning and have your choice,” he said. “We hated to lose Rotelli, but right as they moved out, we have Chipotle moving right in.”

Trustee Lisa Oles said businesses realize the Austintown market is a good one to invest in.

“It’s always nice when we have a franchise willing to move in because it goes to show that we think we have a good market here,” she said. “They did the traffic count and realized they can have a successful restaurant here.”