Chase Bank expected for former KFC site

Two new Forest Lake restaurants open

Chase Bank is expected to enter the former KFC location at 1232 West Broadway Avenue in Forest Lake. Forest Lake community development director Abbi Wittman announced the bank’s application and intent to fill the location during the council’s April 8 workshop. However, representatives from Chase Bank could not yet confirm the new location.

“As we expand rapidly in the Twin Cities metro, we want to offer more convenience to customers throughout the area. We’re not in some communities, like Forest Lake, but hope to be soon,” said Andy Gahan, market director for Chase, in a statement provided to the Times. He added that the bank is still confirming plans and will share more “as soon as we can.”

Property owner Steve Saunders declined to comment on the property’s new development.

Two new restaurants are opening in Forest Lake this week. Jorge Solis opened The Best Steak House Plus at 59 South Lake Street on Tuesday, April 16. The business’s hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. (A full story on the Solis and the new family-owned restaurant will be in the Forest Lake Times’ “Progress” special issue on Thursday April 25.)

Jersey Mike’s Subs opened a day later, on Wednesday April 17 (after press time), by franchise owner Bart Crockett. The restaurant is holding a fundraiser as a part of its grand opening to support Forest Lake Area High School, which runs through Sunday, April 21. The restaurant’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.