SHELLEY TERRY
Star Beacon
July 19, 2007 07:46 am
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SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP - - Building a new Waffle House at the Route 45 interchange with Interstate 90 is on the front burner for a Concord franchise owner.
Bill Baldwin plans to bring 30 jobs to Ashtabula County when he opens the restaurant this spring.
"Waffle House traditionally goes right off the freeway," he said, noting the restaurant will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
Local, friendly folks can be credited for getting Baldwin interested in Ashtabula County.
While working at his Concord and Willoughby Waffle Houses, Baldwin met several area residents who spoke highly of the county and encouraged him to look around the Ashtabula area for a place to build a Waffle House, he said.
"This is going to be a great location," he said. "I'm excited about it because I know the people are excited about it."
Baldwin would not pinpoint the specific location because the deal has not been finalized. He said he hopes that will happen in about two weeks.
Peggy Carlo, chairman of the Saybrook Township trustees, said there has been discussion about the Waffle House, but nothing is official.
An Ashtabula County official said Baldwin inquired a month or two ago about the property on the northeast corner of Route 45 and Austinburg Road but no permits have been taken out.
The Waffle House chain is celebrating 52 years of serving hungry customers. The first Waffle House opened on Labor Day in 1955, when Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner served customers in Avondale, Ga., according to the company Web site.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 7/17/2007
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