Panera plans outdoor dining

July 1, 2009
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PaneraPanera hopes to include sidewalk and atrium seating for its new restaurant under construction at Claypool Court. The bakery cafe, which is taking second-floor space next door to Weber Grill, has asked for a zoning variance to allow outdoor seating along Washington Street. It also plans seating in the atrium of the building, which previously had Old Navy as an anchor. The outdoor seating requires a 10-foot buffer for pedestrians and approval of the Metropolitan Development Commission since it doesn't directly abut the restaurant. A hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.
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  • egoensJuly 1, 2009 9:56 AM
    Nice. Another cheaper option for downtown dining and outdoor seating is a huge plus.
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  • CrystalJuly 1, 2009 10:38 AM
    What happened to the Mcallister's that was supposed to open in the former Indian Garden spot?
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  • benjaminJuly 1, 2009 10:39 AM
    Sweet, easier to steal the wifi.
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  • benjaminJuly 1, 2009 10:40 AM
    Hopefully McAllister's decided against the location.. easily some of the worst chain food I've ever tasted. The sweet tea serviceable at best.
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  • crankyJuly 1, 2009 10:54 AM
    Benjamin, do you mean easier to use the wifi? Is there a cost at this location? It's been my experience that one can sit in the parking lot near a Panera (and I am referring to the Panera locations in strip centers) and sign on. I've become a more regular Panera customer as a result of their friendly wifi availability.
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  • shaneryan1981July 1, 2009 10:56 AM
    McAllister's is awful.........Panera is much better in my humble opinion!
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  • CrystalJuly 1, 2009 11:25 AM
    True panera is better as far as healthier good food. I was just wondering why that Indian Garden location has not been filled yet.
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  • benjaminJuly 1, 2009 12:02 PM
    Hopefully the India Garden spot gets filled with another local or small/reginal chain.

    I don't think this is the ideal spot, but I would love to see Broad Ripple Bagel Deli open up shop downtown.. Downtown Bagel Deli
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  • BeazerJuly 1, 2009 12:54 PM
    McAlister's is by far better than Panera. Obviously, no one who says otherwise has tried their chicken salad. I agree their soups are sub-par and need some work. McAlister's should get the people that make Panera's soup to make theirs! I think they're local too...
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  • CrystalJuly 1, 2009 1:13 PM
    Hey benjamin do you like the Nora bagel shop also?
    Einstein is going ahead with a second location downtown on ohio street but it would be nice for a local bagel shop to open downtown too.
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  • shaneryan1981July 1, 2009 1:31 PM
    McAllister's is not local.......neither is Panera as far as that goes. I wish the Scholar's Inn Bakehouse would open up another location, hopefully with better service........but at least they had good food, and they were local.
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  • Indy RockJuly 1, 2009 1:55 PM
    Yay for outdoor seating!
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  • BeazerJuly 1, 2009 2:02 PM
    I was not saying McAlister's or Panera are local. The company that makes their soups, Park 100 Foods, is! Not only does Park 100 Foods make all of Panera's terrific soups, but they have a hand in a lot of other great soups, stews, sauces...you name it. Found this out while researching why McAlister's soups don't have much guts to them...
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  • shaneryan1981July 1, 2009 2:04 PM
    Interesting........thanks for the update Beazer!
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  • DerloJuly 1, 2009 2:50 PM
    I preferred Atlanta Bread Company to both McAlister's and Panera. Too bad they closed up shop on the southside.
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  • Special FriendJuly 1, 2009 3:12 PM
    ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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  • shaneryan1981July 1, 2009 3:17 PM
    The Atlanta Bread Co at Trader's Point didn't last long either.......
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  • JustinJuly 1, 2009 5:54 PM
    I never new there was an ABC in Indy let alone 2! Wish I would Have know that. :-(
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  • bsuplanguyJuly 1, 2009 6:24 PM
    Why does a new downtown restaurant need a variance for on-street parking? Our regulations need to be a little more urban design-friendly...

    Why all the McAllister's haters??? I love them and Panera equally (all a mater of personal preference I guess), but I usually choose Panera for the wifi.
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  • BerwickGuyJuly 1, 2009 7:17 PM
    Hey Bsup:

    That variance was for on-street dining, not parking. Go back and re-read.
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  • Boomer IndyJuly 1, 2009 8:00 PM
    Nothing wrong with McAllisters. In fact, I find it a nice change of pace. I didn't discover it until about a year ago, so for me - it's something new. It would be great to see one downtown. Maybe in the old McDonald's location in the Hyatt. By the way - when is McD's making a return to downtown?
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  • crownhilldiggerJuly 2, 2009 2:15 PM
    Paradise beats Panera and McAllisters all day long for sandwiches. I did a little snooping on some of my caloric intake @ Panera and was blown away. Panera has the best soup of the 3 but Paradise has the best sandwiches.
    As for the downtown Bagel Deli-I know Kenny and Sue were looking into a spot on Mass. Ave. but I haven't heard where they were with the plan.
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  • KathyJuly 2, 2009 9:07 PM
    crownhilldigger....I agree with you. When Paradise opened down here in Greenwood, I haven't gone to Panera since.
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