Clarksville residents torn as first-ever Texas Roadhouse plans relocation
Big changes are coming to the Texas Roadhouse on Lewis and Clark Parkway in Clarksville. The restaurant’s first-ever location, which opened 33 years ago, will close and move to a new spot.
The move is drawing mixed reactions from loyal customers. Some say they are sad to see the original location go.
“I usually come here about twice a month. That's how much I love it,” said Marcallend Woango.
Others say the restaurant has simply outgrown its current space.
“I'm very torn because this is the original Texas Roadhouse, and I don't want it to lose its charm,” said Nicole Spurgeon.
Still, some customers believe a larger building is needed.
“I know a lot of people don't like there's no waiting space," said Blair Bolen, " It's very crowded."
Buffalo Construction is building the new, standalone, 10,000-square-foot restaurant up Interstate 65 next to Bubba’s 33, which is also owned by Texas Roadhouse. The company says it plans to honor the original location’s heritage through the architecture and design.
The relocation is also raising questions about what the move could mean for development in the area and for Green Tree Mall, where the restaurant is currently located.
“Most people that come here usually come for Texas Roadhouse and then go and shop around. So I don't know how Green Tree Mall is going to be like,” Woango said.
It is still unclear what business, if any, will take over the current restaurant space, but for some customers, the original Texas Roadhouse will be hard to replace.
“I don't think Texas Roadhouse could be replaced, but I do think you could bring back some of the normal stores back into the mall, and maybe it'll come back alive,” Spurgeon said.
