Chipotle coming to Claymont, as it thinks about its future

Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming to Claymont, the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp. announced on Facebook.

Chipotle is planning its 12th Delaware restaurant on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, replacing a Boston Market that closed a year or so ago.

“After months of negotiations with the shopping center owner, Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a long-term lease and will completely rehab the existing building, which is still very structurally solid,” the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp announced on Facebook .

There will be a pickup window for online orders only on the left side, facing Christiana Care, and that online-only rule is a new concept for fast-casual restaurants, said Brett Saddler, executive director of the CRDC, a nonprofit economic development organization.

“Of course, there will be indoor seating too,” the CRDC said. The timeline to open is the first quarter 2025, “if not before,” the post ended.

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Comments were mixed on CRDC’s Facebook page. One of the most interesting came from Carol Derrickson: “ WOW!!! Shocked it’s not going to be another warehouse, massage parlor, title loan, smoke shop or liquor store!”

“It’s a good fit for that building,” said Saddler.

“We’re happy to increase the number of food establishments,” said Saddler, exemplifying with La Hermosa, a new Mexican in the Town & Country Shopping on Philadelphia Pike and Harvey Road.

Then there’s Claymont Steak, a Delaware tradition since 1966. “Its owners, Basil and Demi Kollias, plan to tear down the old building and rebuild their restaurant in a brand new one … expanded, spiffier, and maybe even with a patio and a sports bar. If they do it the way they’ve planned it, the steak shop wouldn’t have to close for more than a week,” The News Journal reported in January.

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That shopping center, in fact, has been part of the conversation in the latest round of discussions to plan the future of the community, which the CRDC calls the “renaissance update.” One suggestion for the center is “mixed used,” often meaning retail and housing. That’s the modern term for an old concept, in which shopkeepers lived above their stores.

The CRDC has heard multiple interesting ideas already, including additional traffic calming and safety measures on Philadelphia Pike and adding similar elements to Harvey and Darley roads.

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Those measures have included reducing Philadelphia Pike down to one lane, from two.

2 meetings about Claymont

Remediation of part of a site on Claymont’s northeastern edge (the eastern side of Philadelphia Pike, across the bridge over the interstate) will be discussed 6-7:30 p.m. May 9 at the Claymont library. That site once held operations of the Honeywell Delaware Valley Works, also known as General Chemical,

The federal Environmental Agenc plans to address Delaware River shoreline and nearshore sediments and groundwater.

The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Council, the CRDC, New Castle County and the Delaware Department of Transportation are hosting a public workshop 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 20 at the Claymont Fire Hall to show off what those agencies have heard in earlier meetings. Their focus is on northern Claymont and the Gov. Printz corridor .

“We start with concepts and work with the community, investors and governments to make it into a reality,” Saddler said.

He recalled one such concept from 2004 regarding what was then the Brookview Apartments, which a 2006 report for DelDOT had characterized as “fallen into some disrepair.”

The site now hosts Darley Green townhomes and apartments , with retail on Philadelphia Pike and the Claymont Library on Darley Road. Rentals are running $1,775 to $3,295. Realtor.com reports one townhome selling in February for $453,000. Home Finders Real Estate lists a single-family home for $628,275.