Work has already begun on laying the foundation for the restaurant, which will be built across Island Drive from the First National Bank in Fort Pierre’s Teton Island development.
“This is great,” Dave Bonde, executive director for the Fort Pierre Development Corp., said. “When we closed on the lot, that was a big step forward but now reality’s set in.”
  
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At the ground-breaking ceremony, Diane and Don London, the couple who will own the future franchise eatery, thanked the city and development corporation for the assistance they received in their business venture.
“Finally seeing something physically being done is absolutely wonderful,” Don London said after the ceremony.
The Londons announced their building plans in January and originally planned to break ground in February or March and open by Labor Day. But because of the paperwork and groups involved, and the fact that the Londons lived in Rapid City — they moved to the area three months ago — the process took more time than expected.
“It was never a question of if it would be built, it was when,” explained Bonde.
The building schedule is a month behind the previous plans and the Londons hope to open at 8 a.m., Sept. 29. The restaurant will have a grand opening, explained Bonde, which will include the raising of the franchise’s signature large American flag and participation by the National Guard.
But the next big date Don London is looking forward to is July 7, when construction crews will began placing the building’s walls, he said.
At first the restaurant will employ a 135-person staff, Diane London explained at the January press conference. After training is finished that number will gradually drop to 120 employees.
The restaurant will be able to serve 185 patrons in its public dining area and private party and meeting room.
It will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, but the Londons may reconsider expanding the hours of operation if needed, they said in January.
The Perkins is another step forward for economic development in the city. But the businesses in the development are paying attention to making not only a financially successful area, but an attractive and welcoming location, explained Bonde.
“We’re not trying to make a rubble pile here,” he said, pointing out the landscaping of several nearby businesses. “We’ve got a ways to go yet, but good things are going to happen.”
Stephen Hayes, president and CEO of Dakota Prairie Bank was also present for the ground-breaking ceremony. Hayes’ bank is looking to move its main office and charter from Presho to Fort Pierre by opening up a new location in the Teton Island Subdivision.
“It’s exciting to see this so close to our area,” he said of the Perkins. “Development expands to other development and we’re really getting the idea that things are going to happen.”
The bank is waiting to see if First National Bank, also located in the Teton Island Development, appeals a circuit court judge’s ruling allowing the financial institution to build in the city.
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1 comment(s)Mary wrote on Jun 17, 2008 9:15 PM: