Chipotle plans second Cedar Rapids location at Westdale

CEDAR RAPIDS - Chipotle Mexican Grill is planning a second restaurant in Cedar Rapids as part of the $90 million redevelopment of the former Westdale Mall.

The Denver-based fast-casual chain has signed a lease with Edgewood Partners for a 2,400-square-foot space in a 12,500-square-foot retail center on Westdale's perimeter.

The restaurant is expected to open in the first quarter of 2016.

Chipotle opened a restaurant in July 2014 at Lindale Mall in northeast Cedar Rapids. The chain also operates a location in downtown Iowa City.

Chipotle is expected to hire between 25 and 30 employees to staff its Westdale location.

David Drown of Edgewood Partners said a lease is pending for the retail center and another space is available.

'We are very pleased to add yet another dining option to Westdale,” Drown said.

Chipotle joins AT&T/Spring Mobile, Wingstop and Noodles & Company in the retail center, which is under construction. Wingstop, which focuses on chicken wings, plans to open in October.

Drown said Edgewood Partners has begun leasing activity for a second retail center on Westdale's perimeter along Edgewood Road SW. The building would be located north of the new U.S. Bank branch, which will open in September, and Chick-fil-A, which opened for business on Aug. 12.

Frew Development Group, which is transforming the former mall into a mixed-used lifestyle center, recently reopened the 29th Avenue SW and Williams Boulevard SW entrances. Work continues on the $3.5 million remodeling of the J.C. Penney store.

Frew has completed a major portion of the relocated ring road at Westdale. The move expanded space along the Williams Boulevard SW perimeter for office or retail buildings.