Collegiate Times

chipotle_center

With construction wrapped up, Mexican eatery Chipotle is set to open in a week.

Next Tuesday, Oct. 5, burritos, burrito bowls and lime flavored chips will be available when Chipotle opens at 11 a.m.

The opening comes after several months of delay.

Although contstruction from the ongoing North Main Street improvement project partially obscures the front of the restaurant, Chipotle officials are not concerned that construction will have a negative effect on opening day.

Chipotle spokeswoman Katherine Smith said the chain has always had a large fan base.

“It’s all about what we do and the way we do it,” Smith said. “We just want to serve good food.”

Smith said she believes Chipotle will be good for local business and will work with others in a cluster effect by drawing people not just to the new restaurant, but to all businesses in the area.

Moe’s, Chipotle’s rival across North Main Street, declined to comment.

The bigger concern for most businesses downtown is not competition from the new restaurant, but the ongoing construction and lack of parking. The parking lot directly behind Chipotle holds 20 spots.

“There’s nowhere to park,” said Shanna Lucas, a hairdresser at Joe’s Barber and Styling. “People think we’re closed.”

Lucas said she was looking forward to Chipotle opening adjacent to her business.

“The more foot traffic, the more people that’ll see us,” she said.

Although Smith said she didn’t perceive the construction downtown as an issue, Kevin Long, manager of The Cellar, disagrees.

Long said he felt construction has negatively impacted business over the past few months.

“A lot of people are trying to avoid traffic,” Long said.

Local business owners are encouraging residents to go look past the construction.

“Disruption in business is an inconvenience,” said Sue Drzal, Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. spokeswoman. “I hope that locals see this (Chipotle) and go out of their way to support businesses.”

Brian Gallimore, a barber at Modern Barber Shop, said he is looking forward to Chipotle’s opening, saying the new eatery will be “good for customers and employees.”

Long said Chipotle could have a positive affect on his business as well.

“It will be a good addition to the neighborhood,” he said.

Downtown businesses can look forward to the end of the current phase of the Main Street Improvement Project in December. The next phase of construction will move across Main Street and reopen a larger sidewalk.

Drzal said Chipotle might suffer from the construction, but not for long.

“Downtown has been through this before,” she said. “In the end, the improvements are well worth the struggle.”

Smith said Chipotle is excited to be a part of the Blacksburg community and plans to involve itself with fundraising events sponsored by Virginia Tech clubs and organizations.

Chipotle is also attempting to reach out to the Tech community by having the Hokie Passport as an option of payment. If it is not available on opening day, store managers hope the option will be available within two weeks.

Chipotle will be open between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on its opening day.

A version of this article appeared in the Sep 28 issue of the Collegiate Times.