Exit133

July 17, 2013 · Exit133

A Chick-Fil-A For Tacoma?

​It appears that Tacoma may be getting a new dining establishment. We see permit applications for a Chick-Fil-A drive-thru. This appears to mark the re-entry of Chik-Fil-A into Washington State. 

The application lists 3902 South Steele as the location for the new drive-thru restaurant; that’s the parking lot next to Ashley Furniture (formerly Borders Books), up against the retaining wall.

The permit requests variances to allow a drive-thru to be located between the building and Steele Street, a primary pedestrian street, on a site zoned “CCX.” Chick-Fil-A’s proposal would direct drive-thru customers around the back side of the building counterclockwise, with the service window on the east side of the building, between the building and Steel Street. This layout does not literally comply with the Development standards, which require that the drive-thru stacking lane be restricted to the rear of the building. Comments will be accepted through August 1. We don’t see a timeline for construction yet.

Also of possible interest, is the two page Chick-Fil-A answer to the prompt “Please explain how the project would be beneficial to the general public.”

Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company dedicated to serving the communities in which we operate. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that we are stronger because of such principles as closing on Sundays, going the extra mile in service, treating others as we want to be treated, and devoting a percentage of profits back to our communities. Those same principles have been applied throughout the history of Chick-fil-A and still apply today…

We seem to remember hearing about Chick-Fil-A in the news recently ...

So are you excited to have a local place to get your Chik-Fil-A Deluxe Chicken Sandwich? 

For more, read the full permit application (pdf).

Update: The TNT has a few more details on Chick-Fil-A’s plans, and the drive-thru permit issue. Read more here.

Update (1-17-2014): as of January 16 Chick-Fil-A's requested variances were approved (pdf).

Filed under: Tacoma Business, Neighborhoods, South Tacoma, Restaurants & Bars

34 comments

  • Stephanie July 17, 2013

    We can't get an In-and-Out Burger, but we get a Chick-Fil-A? Really....

    • Jeff January 1, 2014

      Chick-Fil-A's a bigger franchise.

  • Rhonda July 17, 2013

    What about a Whole Foods?

  • Chris July 17, 2013

    A violation of the design standards is just that. We are never going to get further in making Tacoma a more walkable and urban place without holding to walkable standards.

  • Xeno July 17, 2013

    It looks like it is being built to the same standard as the Wendy's just south of it, although I forget if the drivethrough window faces Steele Street. Seems like a minor variance since there will be no drive through lane spilling into Steele. Sort of a nightmare of an intersection though.

  • Sid July 17, 2013

    Chick-Fil-A is not a dining establishments.

  • Tacomamama July 17, 2013

    Never eaten at one, never will.

  • Robin Echtle July 17, 2013

    "treating others as they want to be treated"??? They are bigots. They don't want anyone treating them fairly. Won't go. Hope that they don't come. As others have stated, there are other businesses we need more than this one. ugh.

  • fred davie July 17, 2013

    What, a corporation might put a drive through window where it could be seen by pedestrians? Oh the humanity! I guess those liberals who foretold the decline of our civilization under the jackboot of corporate greed were correct after all. Don't know if our city council will be able to find the time to address this afront to decent society while they are so busy advocating for gays, illegal immigrants, at hope youth, etc. But certainly this issue should be moved to the top of their agenda.

  • Mill Run July 17, 2013

    bigots and gristle sandwiches. how special. to be fair, fries are good though.

  • AP July 17, 2013

    Much like In-n-Out, I expect the food to be all hype. I will try it to find out.

  • fred davie July 17, 2013

    the development dilemma: does the city allow a variance which would allow a drive through window.... or would the city prefer to have an undeveloped parcel which is just a bunch of broken concrete, scotch broom and malt liquor bottles for another 20 years? liberals and transit oriented development types: it's time for you to make your opinions known!

  • J. July 17, 2013

    SO EXCITED!!

  • Jesse July 17, 2013

    If only there could be this kind of excitement about locally owned businesses... Have you tried the crab bisque at Over the Moon Cafe? How about a Mike's Deluxe at MSM? The Happy Hour menu is amazing at Pacific Grill and Stanley's. A hot dog at Red Hot? Perhaps a Lucky Seven sandwich at Hal of a Sub? Sushi Revolution is good... and cheap. Spend your food dollars wisely. I personally like the places run by my friends and neighbors because I'm not interested in living in "Anytown USA". Did you also know that $73 out of every $100 that you spend at a locally owned business stays in the local economy versus $43 for a national business? Local businesses generate four times the economic impact on an area that a national chain and grow the tax base to fund police, fire, street maintenance, and schools.

    • Penelope July 21, 2013

      [quote]If only there could be this kind of excitement about locally owned businesses…  Have you tried the crab bisque at Over the Moon Cafe?  How about a Mike’s Deluxe at MSM?  The Happy Hour menu is amazing at Pacific Grill and Stanley’s.  A hot dog at Red Hot?  Perhaps a Lucky Seven sandwich at Hal of a Sub?  Sushi Revolution is good… and cheap.  Spend your food dollars wisely.  I personally like the places run by my friends and neighbors because I’m not interested in living in “Anytown USA”. Did you also know that $73 out of every $100 that you spend at a locally owned business stays in the local economy versus $43 for a national business?  Local businesses generate four times the economic impact on an area that a national chain and grow the tax base to fund police, fire, street maintenance, and schools.[/quote]

  • scarlover July 17, 2013

    hot damn! chick-fil-a here i come! i'll be in line monday-saturday-- especially if they're making biscuits! some of you sound like a bunch of small-minded south georgia bigots. i'm from georgia and down there you run into folks who make up their minds in advance-- regardless that they know nothing about the person, place, thing (or environmental phenomenon) in question. i used to expect more of folks from the west coast-- but i've learned that y'all aren't as open-minded as you like to think. chick-fil-a takes care of it's employees-- they have a scholarship program for the folks who work in their stores and have a lot of long-term corporate employees-- plus they give their employees sunday off, whether they choose to attend church or not! you might want to talk to the people who you think are being so mistreated before you take up their cause. on second thought, nevermind -- if you stay home, that'll leave more biscuits, sandwiches, waffle-fries and fresh lemonade for the rest of us!

    • Tacomamama July 17, 2013

      The issue isn't their treatment of their employees, it's their opposition to marriage equality.

      • Jeff January 1, 2014

        Restaurants, like any other organizations, are allowed to have any viewpoint they want. The character fault, wouldn't be that its different from other groups, but if they decided to treat others, including employees and customers, differently because of it‒which they don't. Employees and customers alike have never been turned away because of sexual orientation or marriage equality viewpoints and never will there, because Chick-Fil-A's goal is to love people, which is more important than any viewpoint, anyway.

    • NameDane July 21, 2013

      Go back to Georgia then.

      • Typical liberal mentality there. January 28, 2015

        Someone likes a business that you don't, therefore that person is unworthy to live in your neck of the woods. Not all of us live here by choice, some of us were forced to move to this intolerant hellhole by our jobs. Don't hold your own personal bigotry against those of us who are excited to see a "little bit of home" come to this miserable state.

  • Dreams Come True July 17, 2013

    All you whiners can go back to your little holes you came out of. More of that chicken goodness for the rest of us! Make Tacoma "walkable"? How about making sure you can go through the entire city and feel safe first, and then worry about it being "walkable".

  • Dreams Come True July 17, 2013

    @Jesse Fine, don't spend your money there. More Chick-fil-A for those of us who make it a first stop on any city we go to that has it. And does that mean if I go to a Chick-fil-A that I can't go to a local place? From what you say, its one or the other.....very narrow minded.

    • Matthias July 17, 2013

      @dreamscometrue I don't think that's narrow minded, I think that's called a preference and that preference is supporting the community and its businesses. What areas of Tacoma do you not find walkable?

    • Jesse July 18, 2013

      I am merely pointing out that food dollars are the easiest way for a person to spend their money locally. I'm sorry you didn't redneckognize my point.

      • Mike January 28, 2015

        [quote]I am merely pointing out that food dollars are the easiest way for a person to spend their money locally.  I’m sorry you didn’t redneckognize my point. [/quote] Wow, name calling? Really mature. Get a life.

    • Dane July 21, 2013

      @Dreamscometrue, if you want to point out narrowmindedness, look at the owners of Chik-Fil-A,I don't want bigots who fund hate groups setting up a business in my town, or state for that matter, if you cant live without them then move to Georgia, or where all the other bigots live so you can patronize them.

  • James July 18, 2013

    I'm blown away that this post has gotten so many comments! To summarize: A- Chick-fil-A's leadership never should have taken such a reprehensible position on marriage. B- Fast food is unhealthy, but Chick-fil-A has an apparent following in the NW (Military folks not from around here I assume). C- National chains are bad for the local economy. 4- Drive-thru windows are bad for creating walk-able cities. All that said, I could care less. A- I won't eat at Chick-fil-A anyways. B- I won't eat at Chick-fil-A anyways. C- I won't eat at Chick-fil-A anyways. D- I won't eat at Chick-fil-A anyways. And a final thought: I hate the mall, and it's surrounding wasteland of American suburbanism, culture and commerce. Chick-fil-A will fit right in. Sad that REI became a member of that community as well.

  • Squid July 18, 2013

    Chik-fil-A, meh. When it comes to southern chicken joints, give me a bucket of Guthries any day.

  • Christine July 19, 2013

    The city is seriously concerned about making the mall area 'walkable'? That is just sheer silliness on a grand scale. Just put the dang drive-thru in, make it a drive-thru zone or something and classify parts of the city either 'foot traffic' or 'car traffic' dominant and be done. I don't really care for the company's politics, but to me that doesn't entirely rule my decision to not go there. I tried their food years ago when I was visiting the South and found it not very special. But if it's a childhood or home memory for someone, I can see why it would be loved.

  • Sarah September 13, 2013

    So whatever happened with this? Comments about the variance were due by Aug. 2, but I haven't heard a peep (no pun intended) about the story since. Any word?

  • thackerspeed January 1, 2014

    Why does Tacoma's best & brightest citizens love to dine at Chick-Fil-A? 'Cause the dining room ain't got no hate baiters.

  • Mike January 20, 2014

    I personally can't wait to have a chik-fil-a they have some of te best chicken sandwiches I've ever had, them and zaxbys. Personally I'm for gay marriage but to judge a buisness on what the founders personal beliefs r, come on ppl. Their food is great, but it would suck to have someone in the family with a penut allergy

  • Cealice December 17, 2014

    I used to eat their chicken in FL whenever ai could! I recently moved to AK and we don't have a single Chik-fil-la, nor very many other establishments. I go to school to WA, and I love the local flavor, but sometimes it's so nice to be reminded of the taste of home. Please put aside your prejudices and let Chik-fil-la be a part of your life.

  • JDHasty April 14, 2015

    Only two more days. I can't wait. I go to Chic Fil A when in Phoenix and it is Great!