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WESTPORT, Conn. Panera Bread may soon be bringing its brand of freshly baked breads, café sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods to Westport.
With a lease in place, the St. Louis-based company plans to move into a space next to Home Goods in Westport Plaza, 1850 Post Road E. The 4,830-square-foot space is currently occupied by True Grace, a nail spa. But before the bakery-café can move in, the Planning and Zoning Commission must first approve a site plan application.
An application filed by Peter Romano of Land Tech Consultants seeks to change the allowed use of the space from retail to restaurant. The application was prepared last month, planning and zoning records show. If approved, Panera would be approved to set up shop in the plaza.
The project also calls for interior and exterior renovations, according to the application.
If the commission approves the project, it would be the first Panera in Westport. Currently, the closest Panera is located in Norwalk at 596 Westport Ave. Other Fairfield County locations include Darien, Trumbull, Shelton, Newtown and Brookfield.
According to the official Panera website, there are 1,562 company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes across 40 states and in Ontario.
The commission will review the application Thursday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave.
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