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Quad Questions: Panera, Panera, where art thou?

Panera Bread’s opening in Westwood, which was slated for May 2015, has been stalled for months by land-use concerns. (Alyssa Dorn/Daily Bruin)

By Daily Bruin Staff

Nov. 11, 2015 6:19 p.m.

If you’ve walked around Westwood Boulevard recently, specifically around 800 Degrees and Jimmy John’s, you may have heard and seen that Panera Bread has decided to grace us with its presence. Confirmed rumors circulated that it would be opening in May. Panera’s signature mac and cheese? Mac and cheese and tomato basil soup? Mac and cheese in a bread bowl? Thirteen bagels for $6.99 on Tuesdays? The list of possible breakfast, lunch and dinner options are endless.

Wait, May, you say? Yes, May, but May of 2015.

Panera Bread has been decorated with the “Coming Soon” sign since 2013 and was supposed to open May of this year. What is going on?

As disappointing as it is, here’s the low-down. Panera signed a lease in 2012 and got a restaurant’s permit approved in May 2013, but has been under appeal since June because of Steven Sann, chair of the Westwood Community Council. Sann filed for an appeal under the claim that Panera would not fulfill the full-service, sit-down restaurant the Westwood Village Specific Plan requires for that site, since customers will typically pay for their food before they receive it. Capisce?

This may be old news, but it seems that many people have forgotten about Panera Bread’s opening or have been complacent on waiting forever. That’s why The Quad wanted to revive some pent-up emotions and conjure some new opinions. What do you think of Panera’s situation? Is it worth the wait? Would you like to see something different? Here are some mixed, yet passionate, reviews of the situation:

 

“Panera would have been the perfect new study location in Westwood, providing a warm and quiet space that is also prepared to serve a delicious and fun meal. I am greatly disappointed by this news.”
– AJ Jaramaz, a third-year English student

 

“I’m glad that Panera’s lease got denied. The food is never fresh and not as healthy as it is marketed to be so I’m excited to see what else takes the place. Just hopefully not those ‘no calorie, no fats, no sugars, but all kale’ restaurants.”
– Tara Afshar, a second-year linguistics and computer science student

 

“Madness.”
– Temuulen Maral-Erdene, a second-year international development studies student

 

“I love Panera and I thought it was going to be a popular spot for students to go study or eat brunch. I think a replacement restaurant should cater to one of two things: a cool study spot for students or another bar to revitalize Westwood nightlife.”
– Ramin “Ray-J” Talebi, a fourth-year neuroscience student

 

“I’d love to see Coral Tree or Urth Café in Westwood. It fits the requirements for the Westwood Village Specific Plan, so why not?”
– Caroline Dillon, a second-year business economics student

 

“Honestly, I’m kind of glad I don’t have the option of their mac and cheese so close to me though so I think health wise it’s good that the construction is under halt. I would like to see True Foods or Wahoo’s Tacos. I’m hungry now.”
– Lucy Mullin, a second-year cognitive science student

 

“Panera’s food has been something I’ve missed most since coming to UCLA. When I heard the news that their construction is halted, it’s easy to say I was devastated. I guess we truly just can’t have nice things. If Westwood can’t have a Panera I personally think the next best option would be another In-N-Out because waiting in the line for the current In-N-Out isn’t even worth it anymore.”
– Garrett Pieramico, a second-year business economics student.

 

Whether or not Panera Bread is able to continue construction, it’s clear that a study space is something students would want. When libraries are filled and the weather is cold, a restaurant study space would be convenient and cozy. Time can only tell what the Bruin community is in for.

Any other comments or suggestions? Comment below.

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