Two new Kingsport restaurants represent a first for the Tri-Cities
KINGSPORT – More than $1 million in building permits have been issued for the construction of the two Tri-Cities area restaurant firsts — Dunkin Donuts and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Dunkin Donuts, which is expanding into the region, will open its first location at 120 West Stone Drive in the RoadRunner Market across from Holston Medical Group/Wellmont Health System outpatient campus. The building permit, purchased by Hampton Development, was valued at $250,000 to construct 1,474 square feet for the shop. Dunkins menu includes breakfast items, coffee and, of course, doughnuts.
Ground breaking for this project is set for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the site.
We continue to hear a healthy interest level in Kingsport as a destination for restaurants of all kinds, from high-end on down, City Manager John Campbell said Tuesday. We are also heartened by the strong opening of Olive Garden and continue actively pursuing additional opportunities in the hospitality/retail segment. We are also realizing success with locally developed restaurant concepts such as the soon-to-open Salt Water Willys Bayou Cafĩ, which opens in September at the former Amatos location.
Meanwhile, Venture Construction from Memphis recently purchased an $800,000 building permit to construct a new 6,000 square feet building that will house the future Buffalo Wild Wings. This sports bar concept features a menu covering barbeque wings, wraps, salads, burgers and sandwiches.
Buffalo Wild Wings will be located at 1721 East Stone Drive in the East Stone Commons shopping center. This location is significant for several reasons.
This is a major reuse and redevelopment of the former Montgomery Wards Auto Center, Assistant City Manager for Development Jeff Fleming said. At the same time, redevelopment is turning the corner from North Eastman Road to Stone Drive and working its way back towards Kingsport Pavilion. Its exciting to see this infill development continue what the commercial market started when the East Stone Commons project began some seven years ago.