After 15 years, Panera Bread at the Gateway, 1619 N. High St., has closed its doors.
The fast-casual eatery was one of the longest-standing tenants at the Gateway, which has seen a churn of business over the last decade and a half.
Contacted for comment about the closure, Christiana Moffa, property manager, Gateway – University District said, “Panera opened at Gateway 15 years ago. In 2011 Panera debuted an expanded second campus area café with a drive through on Lane Avenue and in 2016 opened a café in the Wexner Medical Center.”
The comment could be interpreted as a potential Panera over saturation. A sign on the door, which announced the location’s final day as December 30, 2019, also encouraged patrons to visit the other campus locations at 300 W. Lane Ave. and 451 W. 10th Ave., as well as Grandview at 880 W. Third Ave.
Another Gateway tenant, District PourHouse closed earlier in the month, serving its last beer December 13, 2019.
The area will welcome two new tenants in 2020, Yong Kang Street and Game Arena, leaving four vacant storefronts for the development. In addition to the Panera and District PourHouse locations, 1552 N. High St. and 1581 N. High St. are also available.
For more information, visit heygateway.com.