BOISE -- Four local restaurants have plans to either expand or add another location. The owners say this is the right time because they've had proven success and it's a buyer’s market for real estate.
Lunch time at West Side Drive in Boise is the busiest time of the day for owner, Chef Lou Aaron. He says the recipe for proven success is a strong and consistent customer base. That's why he's ready to add a second location.
“We tried to do this three years ago, we had a location in Meridian planned, but then the economy tanked,” said Aaron.
But he feels growth in southeast Boise is a promising market.
“We've got the system down and we feel now is the time to expand,” said Aaron.
In a few months, Chef Lou will be moving into a building on Parkcenter Boulevard that's been empty for six years.
“We just think it's going to work,” said Aaron.
Franchise owners' of Buffalo Wild Wings are hoping their new location will also work. A restaurant spokesperson said they are in lease negotiations to open an additional location in BoDo sometime next summer.
The restaurant chain already has restaurants in Nampa and Meridian.
Meanwhile, the Boise Fry Company is preparing to move into their second Boise location.
“We felt that the market was such that it's the best time to find good space at a reasonable price,” said Boise Fry Company General Manager Ryan Reinke.
That restaurant will be at Bown Crossing in southeast Boise.
“Business has been really strong for us, numbers have been super consistent,” said Reinke.
The restaurant has even bigger plans for the future.
“Ultimately what we'd like to do is have three stores in the valley. One in east Boise, one in downtown Boise and one in west Boise,” said Reinke.
The Boise Chamber of Commerce says Smoky Mountain Pizza is also planning to expand into a larger Eagle location in the coming months.
