Popeye’s has announced it will not open a restaurant planned for Bartlesville after all, and that it plans to sell the property intended for the project, local Realtor Max Lutke told City Beat this week.
“The developer notified us last week that they have decided not to construct a restaurant in Bartlesville,” Lutke said. “They have also placed the property intended for the restaurant, located at 1300 S.E. Washington Blvd., the site of the former Sooner Motel, up for sale.”
Plans for the restaurant started in 2017 when the City Council appropriated money, up to $65,000, for the demolition of the former Sooner Motel building to make way for the development. The Bartlesville Development Authority negotiated the deal, but the money was to be paid only after the restaurant was constructed and occupied. BDA President David Wood told the council at the time that the BDA would only reimburse for the actual cost of the demolition — “and that will be upon Certificate of Occupancy for Popeye’s Chicken.” Because the restaurant was never opened, no public money will be expended.
“Of course there are some who will be disappointed by this news, but it’s important to remember that Bartlesville has three other great restaurants with this speciality,” Lutke said.
For more information call Chris Hester at Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, 918-333-2222.