I found this job listing today. Notice in the right column it shows Florence, Alabama as the job location. I would presume this means Panera bread is coming?
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VERY old news
Wasn't it suppose to be with Publix?
yes, it's coming... yes, near pubix... yes, old news
well excuse me people. I must have missed the other posts about it?
WOO HOO!!! YEA! A Panera! OMG!
yeah I posted this months ago. It is coming with Publix.
I'd like to see Panera Bread downtown and close to UNA - instead of in a strip development. Part of the charm of Panera is its ambience, and downtown Florence is a location which provides that. Panera is basically a breakfast and lunch spot with wonderful pastries, coffee, sandwiches and soups. I'm sorry it will not be downtown near where many people live, work, and go to college. With its location near Publix, it will be near shoppers - a different breed - and that's all.
I am waiting on a McAlisters Deli. Nothing like those Roast Beef Potatoes they serve. 
I think I may have eaten at a McAllister's Deli in Huntsville. I still prefer Panera.
I was told it was going in by Five Guys, guess we'll wait and see!
Originally Posted by floala:
I'd like to see Panera Bread downtown and close to UNA - instead of in a strip development. Part of the charm of Panera is its ambience, and downtown Florence is a location which provides that. Panera is basically a breakfast and lunch spot with wonderful pastries, coffee, sandwiches and soups. I'm sorry it will not be downtown near where many people live, work, and go to college. With its location near Publix, it will be near shoppers - a different breed - and that's all.
Had breakfast at Panera this morning close to my apartment. I'm about nine miles north of downtown Chattanooga (and the university there), but I still usually see several student-types in there. While I would personally love to see downtown Florence thrive and see Panera in a storefront down there, you can't blame the company for wanting to be in the best location. I think it will be fine on Cox Creek. UNA is a commuter school and students that want to go to Panera for coffee and free wifi will probably find a way to go. Now as far as the workers downtown go, they will be missing out. Perhaps if the one on Cox Creek is successful somebody can start up a local place with similar fare downtown.
Its not going beside Five Guys. It is going to be in the Publix Center they are building. That is a fact.