By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

FLORENCE - Jim Hach is a partner in 46 Panera Bread franchises in Ohio and Colorado, and the only one in Northern Kentucky - in front of Crestview Hills Mall.

"Our Crestview Hills store has been one of our best stores," said Hach. "We're hoping Florence will match up to it."

Hach is adding to his Panera portfolio with a Florence store at the south end of Houston Road, next to Hooters.

"We're trying to space it out and cover a broad area, and Florence is pretty happening right now," said Hach.

The Boone County Planning Commission has approved the restaurant design. The city engineer is reviewing the engineering plan.

Final approval is expected from the Planning Commission in four to six weeks.

"We'll probably break ground in late September or early October and open in March," said Scott Katz, principal at Midland Atlantic Properties, the developer of the site.

The building will be about 5,000 square feet. It will be predominantly brick - light brown - with a stucco trim. The store will seat about 140 patrons and employ about 60 people.

Besides bread, Panera serves bagels, soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries.

The Florence location will join many other restaurants that have opened in the city the past year, including Hooters, LaRosa's Pizzeria and Romano's Macaroni Grill.

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com