A popular fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in Mexican-inspired cuisine is coming to Galesburg. Chipotle Mexican Grill will join Jersey Mike’s and T-Mobile and Goodwill as the tenants in a soon-to-be-built retail complex on North Henderson Street.
Adam Bell, vice president with Core Acquisitions, on Friday confirmed the addition of Chipotle to the Galesburg Commons retail development at at 2200 N. Henderson St., site of the former Sirloin Stockade buffet restaurant.
Bell said plans for Galesburg Commons have evolved over the past three years, and Chipotle will replace a national mattress chain which pulled out of the project.
“Fortunately, we have been able to put together a much more exciting project that we think will be far more beneficial to the community.” Bell said. “It’s been three and a half years of really hard work, but we are absolutely thrilled about what we’ve able to put together for the final lineup.”
Restaurant will include ‘Chipotlane’
Chipotle will occupy the south end-cap of the three-tenant building that will be located on the south edge of the development. It will include a drive-thru “Chipotlane” that allows customers to place their order through the Chipotle mobile app or website, then pick it up a window, all without having to leave their vehicle.
The restaurant will seat 42 people and an outdoor patio seating area also will be available to Chipotle customers.
Jersey Mike’s Subs, a New Jersey-based fast food chain, will occupy the center section of the three-tenant building. With over 2,500 locations nationwide, Jersey Mike’s Subs is known for its grilled subs featuring meats and cheeses on freshly baked bread.
The north end-cap will be occupied by T-Mobile, a telecommunications communications company that provides wireless voice, messaging and data services.
Galesburg Goodwill will be the largest retailer at Galesburg Commons and will occupy a stand-alone 15,000 square foot building on the north end of the development.
“The initial feedback that I’ve received from some in the community say this is the absolute perfect lineup,” Bell said.
Ken Springer, president County of Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, tells WGIL his organization is excited about the redevelopment of 2200 N. Henderson St.
“This project will refresh an intersection with high traffic counts and high visibility,” Springer said. “The tenant mix that Core Acquisitions has brought on board are all great additions to the community. The Core Acquisitions team has done a tremendous job putting this project together.
Bell said Chipotle restaurants were traditionally located in larger population centers but the company has made a shift into small and medium-sized communities.
“Galesburg is one of the first smaller trade areas that Chipotle is targeting in central Illinois, which I think is an excellent reflection upon the community,” Bell said.
Springer added, ”Chipotle and Jersey Mikes are both brands that have historically been associated with larger urban areas. I think that the community will be pretty excited to see these new options added to the mix of fast causal restaurant offerings in the area.
“Both of these brands are strong draws and having them locate near the US-34 interchange will likely bring in more travelers and more revenue for the community.”
Developer eyes late 2024 opening for Jersey Mike’s, Chipotle
Chipotle locations are corporate-owned stores.
“We acquired the Galesburg site back in 2020, and I had reached out to multiple times to Chipotle in 2021, 2022 and into 2023,” Bell said. “They were interested, but we’re not ready for this market yet.
“The timing kind of worked out last summer where they were finally ready to make a move on this market.”
Bell said he expects an official groundbreaking on the Galesburg Commons project next week, and anticipates a “five to six month construction process.”
“We intend to deliver the spaces around September for the multi-tenant building, and hopefully Goodwill will be a little quicker,” he said. “From there, there’s probably a month or two of buildout, so the goal is to have everybody open by the end of the year.”
