Panera Bread to reopen, GM says

Speculation regarding the reopening of a popular eatery and gathering spot for area residents may soon be quelled.

Panera Bread in Mentor’s Creekside Commons, 9587 Mentor Ave., which has been closed since Aug. 11 due to water damage, will reopen, according to General Manager Jodi Naples.

Although Naples said an opening date has not yet been set, she confirmed that corporate officials have stated operations will resume at that location in the future.

The water damage occurred while repairs were being done to the roof of the shopping complex starting with Kohl’s Department Store and stretching eastward.

During the repairs a portion of the roof membrane was removed, leaving an open area when an unexpected rain storm lasting about 20 minutes rolled in, according to Mentor Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Powalie.

Although nearby stores were also affected because of water moving through metal channels in the building’s structure, Powalie said the original call came in to the fire department from Panera Bread’s fire alarm.

Powalie explained that when firefighters arrived at the scene and determined that electrical circuits had been affected but a fire had not occurred, a switch of focus to recovery mode took place.

He noted that about one-third of the business located at the rear had been affected by the water.

After assessing the damage firefighters helped move stock and remove as much of the water as possible to prevent a fire hazard. They also provided information regarding what steps needed to be taken by the affected business owners to begin recovery.

“Unlike the tenants further east, the problem was amplified and the damage was more significant,” said Ron Traub, Mentor’s director of Economic and Community Development, in reference to Panera Bread.

Mentor Chief Building Official Jim Decker said a permit for repairs for all affected tenants was issued the week following the incident.

Traub said repair work is in process at the eatery.

“There are some establishments in town that one could call a great place… and these are establishments that do more than just sell food, but they’re a gathering place,” Traub said. “People use these establishments and Panera is one of them. You sit there with your laptop and have a cup of coffee or tea or visit with your friends and do other things than just fulfill the purpose of having breakfast, lunch or dinner.”

Decker added that “we hope to see Panera open soon because that plaza is a vital draw for our shoppers.”

A representative of IRC Retail Centers, the company owning the business plaza, stated in a Sept. 19 email that they declined to comment on the matter.