Planning For A Restaurant Row In McKinney
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McKINNEY (CBS11) - It's a booming North Texas city that seems to have it all.
One thing McKinney leaders say so you won't find nearly enough of are restaurants and its holding the city back.
There's a 20 minute wait for a table even on a Wednesday night at Texas Roadhouse in McKinney.
Angelica Rodriguez and her family who are waiting outside know why.
"There's not a lot of restaurants around, not a sit-down restaurants you kind of have to go to the same restaurants over and over again," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez and a lot of McKinney residents believe the city could use a few more places to eat.
It's a message that is finally getting attention.
"Citizens are saying they have to leave McKinney to go to some of our neighboring communities for restaurants retail and entertainment," said Barry Shelton, McKinney Assistant City Manager.
Shelton says businesses have actually passed on relocating here because of all things, too little sit down dining.
He's working on plans for a restaurant row on Highway 75 with the help of incentives to encourage developers and property owners.
"I think we have the population to support a number of restaurants," said Shelton.
But some longtime establishments disagree.
Employees of Big Tony's Pizza Tavern, which has been a fixture for 13 years, worry that more competition will drive them out.
"Being family owned it does hurt it does hurt your business if you continue to build restaurants around here I don't think that would be a really good idea," said Sara Julian, Big Tony's Pizza Tavern Manager.
But the city believes it's 165,000 residents need more options.
Other areas considered for a restaurant row are Highway 380 and the Sam Rayburn Turnpike.
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