First TC Chipotle Location Planned for GT Mall

Chipotle is planning to open its first Traverse City location on the Grand Traverse Mall property. Garfield Township planning commissioners will review the company's application Wednesday to open a restaurant in a new outlot building in the former Macy's parking lot near South Airport Road.

According to the application, Chipotle plans to open a 2,385-square-foot restaurant with a pick-up window for mobile orders and on-site parking. The company won't operate a traditional drive-thru, only allowing customers who've already ordered ahead on the mobile app or website to get orders from the pick-up window. The building will be located at the edge of the former Macy's parking lot near the mall service drive by South Airport Road. 

Township staff are recommending the application be approved with several conditions, including a land division to separate the restaurant parcel from the mall parent parcel, landscaping amenities, and an internal sidewalk connection from the building toward future sidewalk along South Airport Road. That requirement is deferred, however, until the sidewalk along South Airport Road is also built.

Chipotle is the first tenant to be identified for the former Macy's property under new owner Lormax Stern. Daniel Stern of Lormax Stern previously hinted that a “Chipotle-like” business would be coming to the mall property. He said that other tenants planned for the mall space include a national gourmet food store focused on “organic foods,” a national bookstore, an outdoor apparel retailer, and an “upscale” apparel store. Notably, Lormax Stern has worked with brands including Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods at other mall sites. 

In February, Stern told The Ticker that “construction has commenced" at the site, adding: “We are splitting the building into three to four spaces. Anticipated opening for some tenants is 2027 and others 2028.” The names of those tenants have not yet been announced. 

Chipotle previously tried to come into Garfield Township in a building on US-31 near Franke Road. That deal fell apart, however, making the GT Mall location the first Traverse City site for the national chain. The company has approximately 70 locations elswhere throughout Michigan, according to the Chipotle website.