Panera, the popular bakery and cafe chain, will open its newest Columbus location in the Brewery District at the site of the former Clarmont Restaurant. There are already some fourteen Panera spots around Central Ohio, from Bexley to Grove City to Campus. There is not one however in the immediate Downtown and its environs, so when the German Village-adjacent Clarmont building became available, the company jumped at the chance to join the community.
The zoning phase of the construction has only just begun, and according to Laurie Berg, Marketing Director for Panera in Columbus, full construction will begin this Spring for an anticipated late Summer opening. The hope is that this Panera will become a seamless part of the South High Street landscape, with the distinct red and white sign that once introduced patrons to the steakhouse attached becoming a symbol for the ever-expanding cafe.
“We look forward to utilizing the existing building, including the attached signage, and incorporating our own trade design,” confirmed Berg.
Initial hours of operation are scheduled to be 6am-10pm, Monday through Sunday. They will deliver the same fresh-baked breads and homemade soups and sandwiches that made them a lunch time staple to the Downtown area, while still catering to the local crowd at the refurbished location. Panera Bread is currently hiring for this location. Visit www.panerabread.jobs for further details.
Photo by Walker Evans.
