As of right now, a new Chipotle Mexican Grill is planning to come to Lexington and will replace the old Kentucky Fried Chicken Building on Walker Street. This move marks another interesting move in Lexington regarding fast food restaurants, as Lexington has recently seen popular fast food restaurants come and go.
Some of these recently added restaurants include a Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, Starbucks, and now soon to be a Chipotle. Lexington has also seen Wendy’s and KFC recently close down, two fast-food restaurants that have been in Lexington for over 45 years, as well as the Dairy Queen which had been in Lexington for decades.
As for the construction and renovation, changes to the exterior and interior of the building, along with changes to the parking lot area, will need to be made in order to suit this new Chipotle.
According to an article from the News Gazette, the plan is to start working on the building in April, and the hope is to have the restaurant up and running by the start of 2027. This new Chipotle will bring a new style of fast food and a new type of restaurant that Lexington has been waiting for.
In a poll sent out, students were asked if they liked Chipotle, what they were excited about, and what their go-to order would be.
Many students, like freshman Tim Simon, said that they were excited about not having to drive far to get it anymore.
“I don’t have to go to Staunton to get it anymore!” Simon said.
When asked about their go-to orders, lots of unique and different answers came in. One of these unique and different go-to orders came from senior Nadia Gaydos.
“I get a burrito with carnitas, brown rice, no beans, guacamole, fresh tomato salsa, sour cream, cheese, and romaine lettuce,” Gaydos said.
Assistant athletic director Travis Rogers, however, has different thoughts about the new Chipotle.
“I’m really excited that my daughter is gonna have somewhere to eat but me personally, I hate chipotle, I cannot stand it, but I’ve never tried it” Rogers said.
The closest Chipotle locations from Lexington are in Lynchburg, Waynesboro, Staunton, and Roanoke. Now, Chipotle-lovers from the Lexington and Rockbridge County area won’t have to make the long drive to one of those Chipotle locations.
