By Lacey Watt
GREENFIELD — After sitting empty for more than three years, the former Ponderosa building was torn down Labor Day weekend to make room for a new Olive Garden.
Despite some uncertainty expressed online, Joanie Fitzwater, Greenfield’s planning director, confirmed that the plan for Olive Garden to take the spot at 1585 N. State St. is still in place.
What once sat there was Ponderosa Steakhouse, which originally opened back in 1986. After the effects on the economy due to COVID, they closed business for good in July 2020.
Fitzwater said that they have issued a building permit for the new Olive Garden.
John Zubak, owner of the former Ponderosa and of the building that houses Kroger, said that the construction company is looking to start construction this month to avoid any weather conditions going into the winter months. He said that they are looking to be completed and opened in the spring of 2024.
“We just don’t have anything like that,” Zubak said. “I can list a few, but nothing like a national chain like Olive Garden.”
After some raised questions about whether the restaurant will serve alcohol, Zubak said that they did obtain their liquor license.
“We’re really looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a huge win for Greenfield,” Zubak said.
Based on plans that were filed with Greenfield Plan Commission back in September 2022, the Olive Garden will be about 6,500 square feet and seat 250 people. Its largest shift will have about 30 employees and 93 parking spaces on site.
Zubak said there were some issues with Kroger agreeing to overflow parking.
Greg Tuzzio, director of operations for Olive Garden, told the Daily Reporter in 2022 when the plan was first introduced that the eatery is drawn to Greenfield for its growth in recent years and a desire to give residents in and around the city a closer option than the otherwise nearest opportunities on East Washington Street and in Castleton in Indianapolis.
According to their website, Olive Garden has nearly 900 restaurants with more than 99,000 employees and more than $4.9 billion in annual sales. It is a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc. headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
Also back in 2022, the plan commission approved modifications for the development of the project that allow it to be different from the standards set in the city code. One change is allowing the building to set back from State Street 140 feet instead of the maximum of 60 feet.
CDS Development is working with Olive Garden as its development consultant, and Advantage Industrial is the contractor.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful building with landscaping that I think will be a big improvement for our streetscape on State Street,” Fitzwater said. “…They do build a very attractive building so it does nothing but enhance our dining experiences and opportunities. I know Olive Garden is a go to for a lot of people traveling, so hopefully it’ll bring people off of the interstate and into our city.”
