By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | January 13, 2009
Marcus Burnley, with R&B Construction out of West Virginia, helps build a Texas Roadhouse restaurant on North Texas Street in Fairfield Tuesday. Photo by Brad Zweerink
FAIRFIELD - Perhaps it was just meant to be.
Texas Roadhouse will meet North Texas Street when the national restaurant chain opens its first Solano County location in Fairfield, company and city officials announced Tuesday.
'It will be a tremendous economic boost,' Mayor Harry Price said.
The company, which operates more than 300 locations in 46 states, plans to open a 7,100-square-foot restaurant in the spring, employing between 130 and 180 people, managing partner Dave Gaither said.
There will be full- and part-time positions available, Gaither added.
Like many Texas Roadhouse locations, the restaurant under construction at 3333 North Texas St. will be open only for dinner each day. The chain specializes in steaks and emphasizes a rustic, southwestern decor with murals, neon signs and country music.
The rapidly growing company was formed in 1993 in Clarksville, Ind., and now trades on the NASDAQ. It has been ranked by Forbes Magazine among the 200 'best small companies.'
Texas Roadhouse will open on the same site where fire destroyed the roadside institution Lou's Junction nearly four years earlier. It was one of the few remaining vacant parcels on the northernmost end of North Texas Street.
'I think in terms of economic development, the city has been very patient,' Price said. 'Getting the right use for this property has been very important to us.'
Lou's was once a landmark restaurant in the city, well-known among residents but particularly popular with truck drivers, thanks to its exposure to Interstate 80 and prime location on one of the city's major entrances.
Property owner Ed Parrish said his family has owned the property since World War II and would continue to remain involved, even as Texas Roadhouse leases the property.
'It has been in my family since 1951 and we certainly intend on staying here for another two or three generations,' he said.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
