New Panda Express in Chehalis could be completed in December

Fans of Panda Express won’t have to wait much longer to enjoy its menu in Lewis County, according to Chehalis-Centralia Airport Director Brandon Rakes.

As construction continues on the new Chehalis restaurant located on airport property between the Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot on Northwest Arkansas Way, Rakes provided The Chronicle an update on Tuesday.

Construction began earlier this year in June.

“They’ve made great progress and anticipate construction will be complete by the second week in December,” Rakes said.

He said that was just a tentative target, as delays could still occur due to inclement weather or issues getting inspectors in the new building for permitting.

The City of Chehalis first entered into a lease with Panda Express in 2023, as the business had been eyeing the property near the airport for a new location since April 2022.

The lease is for 20 years and is broken into four escalating rent sections.

For the first five years of the lease, annual rent will be $43,500, increasing to $47,850 in years six through 10, then to $52,635 in years 11 through 15 and finally reaching $57,898.50 in the final five years.