Former Ryan's location sold; Taco Bell adding south PB location

Plans have been filed with city officials to repurpose a former Westwood Boulevard restaurant, and construct a second eatery on Poplar Bluff’s south side.

A permit to remodel the former Ryan’s location for a Chinese buffet has been approved, according to the city planning department.

A separate construction permit has also been granted for a 2,300-square-foot Taco Bell on the southeast corner of highways 53 and 142.

The $300,000-project Westwood Boulevard has started, city staff report. Developers expect the site to be open in the next four to six months.

The remodeling project will remove the existing private rooms to create an open floor plan, as well as add more tables and buffets, according to plans filed with the city. The complete remodel will include new equipment and fixtures, said broker Tom Kelsey, with Lorimont Commercial Real Estate in Cape Girardeau, who handled the sale.

The property was purchased by Guokai, LLC, a buying group also involved in other Asian-themed restaurants. The group’s projects have included China Wok in Cape Girardeau and Chin Restaurant in Perryville, Kelsey said.

Ryan’s closed in the fall of 2018. At that time, it was the last location for the chain in Missouri after its parent company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The restaurant had been open in Poplar Bluff for more than 20 years and employed about 40 people.

The 10,404-square-foot building is located on 1.86 acres, and had been listed for $1.3 million, but no exact sales price was disclosed.

No opening date has been released for the new Taco Bell site. Nearly $1 million is expected to be spent on construction and storm water improvements, according to city plans.