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New places to eat coming

IHOP, Gran Ranchero to open this year on Pike St.

After years of rumored talk about an International House of Pancakes popping up in Marietta, it is confirmed that the popular breakfast franchise will be here this fall. For those wondering what’s been going on near the Wings Etc. and Tractor Supply properties, it’s where IHOP will stand within the next several months.

“We broke ground this week,” said Mike Gulliver, project manager for the First Colony development. “Right now, we are in the first phase, preparing the site for construction on the acre-and-a-quarter lot.”

The 24-hour IHOP will join two hotels, Tractor Supply Company and Wings Etc. that have been located on the First Colony Center property since work on the development began in 2012 near the intersection of Ohio 7 and County House Lane.

“Right now, we also have to work on the continuation of the roadways around that lot,” said Gulliver.

The IHOP will be owned and operated by Restaurant Specialties, Inc. out of Sunberry. It’s a 120-day build done in three phases, according to Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews.

Phase one is the site work going on now, the second phase is the foundation and the third stage is construction and the interior. Matthews said several companies are being considered to do the construction including a few local companies.

“It’s at least a million dollar project although an exact cost isn’t available at this time,” said Matthews.

The Marietta IHOP is also a prototype for how IHOPs are going to be renovated all over the country. This includes a large interior dining room, a patio eating area, an internal fireplace, and a wood-finished exterior design. The new model is more open and modern than IHOPs seen in other areas now.

“We’ve been talking about getting this IHOP for five years now,” said Matthews. “The City of Marietta is excited to see it finally coming here and we will eat all the pancakes they have.”

Also coming soon to Marietta will be a Gran Ranchero Mexican eatery, to be located at 823 Pike St. Constructed in 1995, this building was originally Ryan’s until the steak buffet went out of business and the property became available again in 2012. Dan Gates, CFO for the Athens Gran Ranchero, said he is excited to be moving into the 10,653-square-foot building.

“We just got the water turned on this week and opened a checking account,” he said. “It’s a good location that’s not in the flood plain and close to the interstate.”

Remodeling the interior is the current step for the restaurant. According to Gates, a kitchen is being built right now. This location is in conjunction with two other Gran Ranchero sites, including one in Athens on East State Street and one in Parkersburg located in the Park Shopping Center close to Gabriel Brothers.

“We found this location through a Realtor and went from there. It’s a huge building and I really enjoy doing business in Marietta so I’m excited,” said Gates.

The Marietta Gran Ranchero is expected to be open for business this August after final renovations are complete.

“Marietta is always open for business and we welcome any businesses here,” said Matthews. “They just need to come visit Marietta and feel the ambiance of Marietta. It’s a wonderful city.”

At a glance

¯ IHOP and Gran Ranchero will be opening in Marietta this year.

¯ IHOP is being built on the First Colony development near Wings Etc.

¯ Gran Ranchero will be making its home in the old Ryan’s location at 823 Pike St.

¯ IHOP will be open sometime this fall and Gran Ranchero is planning to open by August.

Source: Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews.

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