MONROE – Developer Thomas Schinella said he was proud when Panera Bread decided to make Monroe the second location for its new restaurant design concept.
The future Monroe location at 205 Monroe Turnpike will serve as a model for the new Panera Bread’s next generation of bakeries, cafes and restaurants. The location will also have two drive-thru lanes, as the chain now focuses on drive-thru and pickup services powered by its app.
“This is the only one in Connecticut to date,” Schinella said. “We’re the second state selected. It’s in Monroe.”
Construction is nearly complete, and Schinella said the restaurant should open in late summer. The company’s decision to build a location with two drive-thru lanes mirrors other chains in the area that have shifted their focus to drive-throughs due to increased business due to the pandemic.
Schinella said future stations will include a fast-track pick-up lane, where drivers can order and pick up their food in advance through the Panera app, rather than waiting at a drive-by.
“They like this because you can order (and) pick up in advance,” Schinella said.
Not only can customers place their orders in advance, but they can also opt for contactless service, giving the bakery a full view. Menus will also be digitized in-store and drive-through, according to a company press release in 2021.
Panera Bread opened its first next-generation bakery cafe and restaurant in Balwyn, Missouri last year. Schinella said the chain has several reasons for Monroe to be next.
“Based on what they’ve mentioned to us, they’ve been doing this research, and they think Monroe, Connecticut, is a really good central location, and it’s growing,” he said.
While the restaurant is nearing completion, First Selectman Ken Kellogg said there were some modifications to the original plan before the pandemic.
“Originally, it was a traditional Panera Bread restaurant. They came back with a proposal for Panera Cafe, their next-generation design and restaurant,” he said.
Company officials didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Kellogg said the new restaurant design, which includes a lot of glass, will provide diners with outdoor seating and decorative lights.
Schinella said the decision to open Panera in Monroe could help attract other investment in the town.
“We hope this is a catalyst to bring more tenants like this into Monroe, not just for Monroe, but for the surrounding towns,” he said.
