ELSA’S EYES LOCATION IN SUGARCREEK TWP.

Mexican-themed chain working on lease to fill Caramella’s former spot.

Elsa’s, which operates four Mexican restaurants and sports bars in and around Dayton, is seeking to add a fifth location on Wilmington Pike in Sugarcreek Twp.

Jason Hemmert, son of Elsa’s founder Bill Hemmert, confirmed that a potential Elsa’s restaurant is in the works in the Sugarcreek Plaza, in a space that previously housed Caramella’s Italian Kitchen, and, before that, Murphy’s Irish Pub and Barleycorn’s. Hemmert cautioned, however, that the effort is in its early stages.

“We are currently working on securing a lease for the space,” Hemmert told this news outlet Friday. “We certainly hope it works out.”

Hemmert is partnering with Craig Orzechowski, an Elsa’s franchisee who owns and operates the Elsa’s On The Border restaurant at 1227 Wilmington Ave. in Dayton, in the Sugarcreek Plaza project.

A limited liability corporation formed by Hemmert applied last week for a liquor license for the Sugarcreek Twp. space, located at 6204 Wilmington Pike.

Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany said township officials are pleased to hear of the activity at the former restaurant space.

“We think it’s a great site, and it just needs the right concept,” Tiffany said.

Elsa’s also operates locations on Linden Avenue in Dayton, on Far Hills Avenue in Centerville, and on East Stroop Road in Kettering.

TY GREENLEES / STAFF Elsa’s Mexican restaurants and sports bars proudly boast an assortment of “legendary” margaritas in four Dayton-area locations. Restaurant owners are in the early stages of working on a new location in Sugarcreek Twp.