Panera Bread coming to Cotswold Village

A new Panera Bread is headed for Cotswold, according to local restaurant leasing blog Restaurant Traffic.

The store is replacing Blu Basil, which closed recently. Panera has been increasing the number of stores in Charlotte, and recently opened an uptown location on College Street.

Mecklenburg building permits show the upfit for the Cotswold Village location is costing more than $180,000.

An Italian eatery, Blu Basil closed last year. Panera was founded in 1981, and has more than 1,625 stores in 44 states. The company has seven stores in Charlotte, about  Panera's stated mission is "A loaf of bread in every arm," which is also a registered trademark.

The company has been a Wall Street darling, with its stock rising from about $34 a share five years ago to $163.51  on Friday.



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