BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio — A First Watch restaurant will move into a space formerly occupied by a Bob Evans restaurant on the south side of Ohio 82 just west of Interstate 77.
Bob Evans, which was between McDonald’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill, closed about a month ago, according to Joe Mandato, Broadview Heights’ chief building official.
Mandato said Bob Evans didn’t give the Building Department a reason for the closing.
Bob Evans’ media relations has not returned emails to cleveland.com.
Deville Developments, a Canton firm that owns the Bob Evans/First Watch parcel — along with the McDonald’s and Chipotle parcels on either side — was given city permission in September to remodel the exterior of the former Bob Evans for First Watch.
It was Deville in 2014 that won city approval to build the Bob Evans, McDonald’s and Chipotle restaurants. The Chipotle building also has T-Mobile as a second tenant.
Patrick Sirpilla, vice president and director of leasing at Deville, didn’t return calls asking about the First Watch project.
Mackenzie Garrett, First Watch spokesperson, told cleveland.com Tuesday (Oct. 22) that First Watch will not add to the former Bob Evan building. It will only renovate the existing space, which measures about 4,600 square feet.
Garrett said work on the remodeling is scheduled to begin in November. The First Watch restaurant is scheduled to open in spring 2025.
“Upon opening, the Broadview Heights restaurant will feature our core First Watch menu, which takes an elevated approach to traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings,” Garrett told cleveland.com in an email.
“All dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients in a kitchen without heat lamps, microwaves or deep fryers,” Garrett said.
“Fan favorites include avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes and million dollar bacon.”
The First Watch in Broadview Heights will include an indoor patio or sunroom with 16 seats. The main restaurant, which will contain a bar serving alcohol, will have 135 seats, for a total of 151 seats.
The First Watch restaurant chain, today headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., opened its first restaurant in 1983 in Pacific Grove, Calif., according to a March Associated Press article.
It now has more than 500 locations in 29 states.
Locally, First Watch restaurants are in Brunswick, Medina, Macedonia, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange, Rocky River, Solon, University Heights, Westlake and Willoughby.
Typically, First Watch restaurants are open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and serve breakfast, brunch and lunch only.
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