There have been lots of Chick-fil-A-moving-to-the-neighborhood rumors lately, but this one looks pretty solid: The fast-food chicken giant is negotiating a deal to open a free-standing store on the southwest corner of Gaston and Garland/E. Grand at 7340 Gaston (here’s a good locational photo from Google Maps street view).
The Gaston store would be similar to the one at Timbercreek (6176 Retail Road, Skillman at Northwest Highway). Although the Gaston deal isn’t done yet, the scheduled opening would be summer 2015, which is probably a little optimistic at this point. According to Chick-fil-A’s website, this would be the 17th store within about five miles of zip code 75214 (the new store isn’t listed on the website yet).
You’ve no doubt noticed the site in question (see photos below); for as long as I can remember, it has been vacant. If you happen to know what was once there, let us know; there are some cement foundation work still on the site, so it’s pretty clear some type of structure once was housed there.
At one point in 2009, developer Zad Rumayo stepped forward with plans to build multifamily on that site as well as the adjacent Subway center (temporary home to the White Rock YMCA), but those plans didn’t get off the ground, presumably due to lack of financing at the time.
Chick-fil-A has been looking in the area for years and at one time was zeroing in on a site farther north on Garland Road. I’m not sure what happened with that site, but it’s apparently off the table now as the restaurant focuses on this piece of land.
I’ve always thought this corner appeared to be kind of small for a big chain; a Starbucks drive-thru location seemed more appropriate. But when I stopped by today to take pictures and look at the site more closely, it appears to be plenty large enough for a full-sized Chick-fil-A, drive-thru and parking.
Traffic flow could be an issue with a fast-food restaurant on that corner, The Lot and another rumored restaurant east across Garland/E. Grand, and the Arboretum Village suburban-type strip center north across Gaston. All of that traffic will probably generate a few sirens in the coming months, as cars already fly from all directions at that Y-shaped intersection. Introducing a few thousand additional left/right turns across four lanes of traffic, as well as dodging cars careening east and west on Gaston from the intersection should be interesting.
Maybe a neighborhood insurance agent also needs to set up shop in the vicinity.
Gaston & Garland intersection looking south
Gaston and Garland intersection looking northwest toward Arboretum Village.
Gaston and Garland intersection looking east over the possible site for a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
Looking east toward the Gaston and Garland intersection; Chick-fil-A is negotiating to open a restaurant on this site.
