Steakhouse taking spot near new Holiday Inn

As the new Cape Girardeau Holiday Inn Express begins to take shape near the intersection of William Street and Interstate 55, rumors of what businesses will take up the dirt surrounding the new structure are reaching a fever pitch. But the gossip concerning one of those lots can now end.

Cynthia de Journett Austin, commercial specialist with Re/Max Achievers, announced that last week a deal was closed that will bring the Texas Roadhouse national steakhouse and restaurant chain to Cape Girardeau.

Austin, who brokered the deal, said that Brian Judd of Jeffersonville, Ind., will locate his 18th Texas Roadhouse franchise on a little over two acres of land at 13 Doctors' Park Drive, just south of Cracker Barrel. The new 6,900-square-foot eatery will seat 239 people and, according to Judd, employ 140 full- and part-time workers.

Judd is the largest franchisee of Texas Roadhouses in the nation. Overall, the Louisville, Ky.-based Texas Roadhouse company has 182 stores in 34 states.

The restaurant specializes in hand-cut steaks, but also offers ribs, seafood, homemade side-dishes and freshly baked bread. In 2003, it was voted the top steakhouse in America by Restaurants and Institutions Magazine Consumer Choice Survey.

While the deal has been closed, Austin said that a groundbreaking date for construction is still up in the air and will depend largely on the weather. An exact opening date is also uncertain at the moment.

Also in question are the other three restaurants that will occupy the new Holiday Inn Express complex. Bob Hahn, vice president of development for MidAmerica Hotels Corp. and Drury Restaurants Inc., said his company has been in negotiations with potential occupants but that nothing is finalized to the point where the names of those companies will be released.

"Things can always change," Hahn said.

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137