The former Grisanti's restaurant at 68th and O streets is getting new life -- sort of.
Buffalo Wings & Rings plans to tear down the building that was home to the Italian restaurant for nearly three decades and build a new 5,900-square-foot location.
Demolition of the building is scheduled to start in a week or so, with construction starting soon after. Buffalo Wings & Rings hopes to be open sometime either late this year or early next.
Buffalo Wings & Rings is a sports-themed restaurant chain with more than 50 locations, mostly in the Midwest and Texas.
The company opened its first Lincoln location in 2013 in The Railyard across the street from Pinnacle Bank Arena. Barton Development Inc. owns the local franchise rights. The chain also has a location in Omaha.
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"We are excited about being a part of the revitalization of the East O Street area, bringing in a family-friendly sports restaurant along with 60 new jobs," Michael Barton said in a news release.
The new restaurant will have seating for about 200 people inside with additional outside seating.
Grisanti's closed its Lincoln and Omaha locations in late 2014 after running into financial problems, and the contents of the restaurant were later auctioned off.
Grisanti's, which was originally part of a chain based out of Louisville, Kentucky, had operated at the site since 1987.
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
Matt Olberding
Business reporter
Matt Olberding is a Lincoln native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who has been covering business for the Journal Star since 2005.
