Chick-fil-A, the nation’s second-largest chicken restaurant chain, plans to open a restaurant at The Shoppes at North Village in July.

The Southern chicken sandwich eatery expects to break ground on a free-standing restaurant in March, said Brenda Green, a company spokeswoman.

It will be located at 5303 N. Belt Highway, a prime location at the Shoppes entrance and just north of Chili’s Grill & Bar. That location was originally slated for a Colton’s Steak House & Grill restaurant.

La Dolce Vita relocates

After closing this summer, the old La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant will relocate onto the main floor of the Mitchell Park Plaza. The new location gives the popular meeting spot a more well-rounded, younger clientele — something owners Cheryl and John Jarrett said they were seeking when they closed the restaurant in August. A Subway franchise will occupy its former site at 501 N. Belt Highway.

At its new location, La Dolce Vita is reverting to its former name, 36th Street Food and Drink Company.

Mitchell Park Plaza is a mixed-use, commercial-residential building in the Mead Westvaco factory at 11th Street and Mitchell Avenue. Since opening, it has attracted urbanites and others to its renovated, 258-unit loft building.

The 9,200-square-foot restaurant will seat about 200 people, and an adjoining banquet hall will seat another 200, Mitchell Park manager Nancy Lee said.

A convenience store, Mitchell Park Plaza C-store, also will be added on the main floor, with an adjoining seating area and coffee bar.

The businesses are slated to open before year’s end.

Stimulus grants help Downtown expansions

Federal stimulus money is helping expansions at two Downtown businesses: Foster’s Martini Bar and Em Chamas Brazilian Grill.

The economic development forgivable loans were approved this summer to promote job growth and small businesses.

At Foster’s, owner Nathan Karr said the money has helped nearly double the size of the bar. He said work has been going on for the past two months.

Half of the $50,191 project at 722 Felix St. is funded through stimulus funds. According to its proposal, the Foster’s project would generate four construction jobs and nine permanent ones. Mr. Karr said some of those permanent jobs are part-time.

Another $75,000 was approved to open a high-energy Brazilian steakhouse and lounge, with banquet facilities, in the Eshelman Building. Em Chamas Brazilian Grill is scheduled to open in January 2010 at 119 S. Sixth St.

The total project is $226,491, and would generate 10 construction and 15 to 20 permanent jobs, according to a proposal submitted by ECBG, LLC. The News-Press was not able to reach anyone for comment.

Ahmad Safi can be reached at ahmadsafi@npgco.com.