Chipotle Lands in the Garden District Despite Battle

After fierce opposition from potential neighbors, backing out of initial plans to open, and settling a lawsuit over the withdraw, Chipotle Mexican Grill is now open in the Garden District. The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at 2801 Magazine Street this morning, Friday, July 26.

Chipotle first set its sights on the Uptown location two years ago, the first for the chain in Orleans parish. After months of wrangling with neighbors fearful of it’s impact on the neighborhood, Chipotle gained approval at the beginning of 2018 from city planners. A few months later, it backed out of its plans, according to a lawsuit subsequently filed it’s would-be landlord, 2801 Magazine, LLC. The lawsuit alleged that a “good-neighbor” agreement reached to pave way for city council approval had lowered the building’s value.

The Tex-Mex chain settled that lawsuit in June, and resumed plans to open in the space, previously a Radio Shack. It joins nearby locations in Metairie and Harahan, but is the first in New Orleans proper. Cheryl Oates, a New Orleans native, will serve as the general manager, a role she previously held at the North Shore restaurants.

Chipotle is open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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• Chipotle Plots Garden District Location [ENOLA]
• Chipotle agrees to ‘fast food’ moniker to appease Garden District neighbors [UPTOWNMESSENGER]
• Chipotle wins final approval from City Council for Magazine Street location [UPTOWNMESSENGER]
• Chipotle Backs Out Of Plans For Magazine Street Location [ENOLA]
• Chipotle Will Open on Magazine Street After Backing Out, Getting Sued [ENOLA]