Construction is well underway for a new restaurant in Stanton to replace the Old Country Buffet.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is set to open in early 2023 in the Center Pointe Plaza, 1325 Churchmans Road. Cheddar’s began talks last fall to take over the 10,300-square-foot site, and signed a lease in April to repurpose the Old Country Buffet.
They will join several restaurants in the shopping center anchored by Home Depot and TJ Maxx, including Miller’s Ale House, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Pure Bread, La Tonalteca, Potstickers Asian Grill, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Deerhead Hot Dogs.
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Cheddar’s boasts “scratch-made” comfort food like chicken pot pie and croissants, along with traditional burgers, and a variety of chicken, steak and seafood entrees. It also has a full-service bar.
This will be Delaware’s second Cheddar’s restaurant. The first location opened in 2013 in Camden along South Dupont Highway.
The Old Country Buffet had been a Stanton staple since 1997 until it shut down in the fall of 2020 due to troubles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The chain itself had suffered several financial setbacks for over a decade, filing for bankruptcy three times between 2006 and 2016.
In 2018, Delaware Online released a poll asking readers which restaurants they would like to take the place of Don Pablo’s near the Christiana Mall, and Cheddar’s was a popular response.
MSC Realty, which owns the Center Pointe Plaza, is also currently in negotiations with a retailer to occupy the former Babies R Us location. There is no confirmation as to what tenant will take over the 16,000-square-foot site.
Boot Barn opened there in March, taking over the former Modell’s Sporting Goods.
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Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com.
