Elsa’s will open a new Mexican restaurant

Locally based chain will move into the space vacated by Buffalo Wild Wings

An Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant is coming to Springboro.

Jason Hemmert, co-owner of Elsa’s and one of three partners in the new Springboro venture, told this news outlet today, Dec. 6 that a lease has been signed for a new Elsa’s to take over the space in the Settler’s Walk retail center that was vacated Oct. 20 by Buffalo Wild Wings, as that chain was putting the finishing touches on its new restaurant in the Austin Landing development.

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“We have, for a long, long time, wanted to get down into the Springboro area, and more specifically, we really wanted to get into the city of Springboro,” Hemmert said.

“When we heard Buffalo Wild Wings was vacating that spot, we were shocked, and we targeted it because of it being a very successful restaurant in a great location, in a great neighborhood, and within the City of Springboro. We want Springboro residents to feel that this is their place — their family's restaurant, their favorite hangout, their happy hour, and their team spot before, during and after sporting events.”

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The former BW3 restaurant at 774 N. Main St. has 4,500 square feet plus a 1,200-square-foot patio, and will seat about 225, Hemmert said. The new restaurant will employ about 75.

The three partners in the project include Hemmert, Jason Day and Chris Sparaco, who combined have more than 65 years of experience in the Elsa's system, Hemmert said. Elsa’s first applied for a liquor license in the now-former BW3 space in June 2018, anticipating a subsequent lease

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Early plans call for a cantina-style restaurant similar to the Elsa’s Corner Cantina off Wilmington Pike in Sugarcreek Twp. “It is set up for awesome sports viewing and will have a varied menu of ‘our’ Mexican food, as well as wings, pizza, and sandwiches,” Hemmert said.

The partners expect the new restaurant to open in late spring 2020.

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“We will be doing some remodeling, but that space already lays out very well for our concept,” Hemmert said.

Elsa’s operates five restaurants and sports bars in and around Dayton: the original location (founded in 1945) on Linden Avenue in Dayton; on Wilmington Avenue in Dayton; on Far Hills Avenue in Centerville; on East Stroop Road in Kettering; and the most recent addition, the “Corner Cantina” location in Sugarcreek Twp., which opened in July 2018.

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