Ever since news broke in this column that Chili’s changed its mind and was not going to open a restaurant in River Bend Commons, the new name for the old Costco property, readers have asked what is going to take Chili’s place.
Last summer, commercial real estate broker Ken Miller told me that while the center lost Chili’s, another restaurant is coming there, and he called it “a better option” for the shopping center.
But Miller couldn’t yet reveal the name.
Well, spurred by a recent question from a reader wanting an update on the progress of River Bend Commons, I took a trip to the city of Redding’s building department to see if I could get some answers.
Mission accomplished.
The building department told me that plans for a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers have been submitted.
It is not yet known when the city will approve its plans or when construction might begin for the restaurant.
Side note: Is Redding becoming the chicken capital of Northern California? Raising Cane’s would join national names Chick-fil-A, KFC and Popeyes, and locals Chicken Shack and Wing Spot.
Raising Cane’s is a fast-food restaurant that was established in 1996 in Louisiana, and like the name says, the menu is big on chicken fingers.
The franchise has several locations in the greater Sacramento area. Redding would be the farthest north location in California.
Meanwhile, work on At Home, which will anchor River Bend Commons by moving into the old Costco building, has been delayed.
The building permit for the home décor store had been approved. But the company switched architects and in doing so, made some changes to the building plans.
Those changes are going through plan review, so the new building permit is pending, the city’s building department said.
At Home has a location in Chico in the Chico Marketplace on East 20th Street.
Knowing the pace of building, it might be ambitious to expect the River Bend Commons shopping center to welcome customers in 2024.
Stay tuned.
Vitality Bowls reopens
Vitality Bowls Superfood Cafe reopened on Feb. 7 for takeout and delivery, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.
The restaurant at the Mt. Shasta Mall had been closed since a car crashed into it after hours in the early morning of Dec. 16.
Because the restaurant was closed, there were no injuries.
Per its Facebook page:
While we prepare to fully re-open our doors to the community soon, we're offering takeout and delivery options so you can still get all of your favorites from Vitality Bowls. Place your order today: https://order.incentivio.com/c/vitalitybowls/.