I stopped into Firehouse Subs this morning to check on their status and learned, in more ways than one, that they're close to opening.
For one thing, the inside of the restaurant already looks like an operational Firehouse (the restaurant, not the municipal service dedicated to putting out fires, saving lives and getting cats out of trees). And, of course, I spoke with the a gentleman who looked as if he was working hard to get the sandwich shop closer to opening for business.
Firehouse is hoping to open in a few weeks with a tentative date set before the end of the month. Right now, they're waiting on the air conditioning to be turned on, then they'll begin training staff and putting on the finishing touches.
Firehouse will be on Franklin Avenue across the parking lot from Buffalo Wild Wings.
Potbelly and new Starbucks planned
I read in the Waco Tribune-Herald that the shopping center at Valley Mills and Interstate-35, where Gander Mtn. is set to open, will also be home to a Potbelly Subs and a new Starbucks.
So the next time I bumped into Brett Spivey at my regular Starbucks at Central Texas Marketplace, I quizzed him on it. I expected the new places would be pretty far in the future as they've only just been announced. To my surprise, he forecast February openings. It was just a casual prediction and my bet is it will take a little longer than that. But the message I received was sooner rather than later.
Spivey also said the new Starbucks wouldn't result in the closings of any existing stores.
Even though this is mostly a news blog, I can't help but want to offer my thanks to my buddies at CTMP Starbucks, including but not limited to Sarah, Amanda, Mary, Clint, Cole, Alex (J-Mark), James, Nicky, Gabby, Brie, etc., etc., (I know I'll think of three more in 10 minutes). And the dozens upon dozens of friends I've made there over the years. They always take care of me and help me start my day (and sometimes finish it too).
The funny thing about Starbucks as it exists in my life and, I assume, the lives of many of you, is that it's sort of a trusted oasis no matter where we travel. But there's no place like the home-base Starbucks.
And this blog has officially gone off the rails. More news coming later in the week.
One more bite: I had finished my night's work on Monday night at CTMP Starbucks and was headed home when I noticed across from the coffee shop a new sign advertising Gap and Gap Kids. I circled back around and noticed, sure enough, Gap and Gap Kids are going in there where Books-a-million used to be.
