By Sondra Rodriguez, Student Reporter

Jack in the Box delayed the grand opening of its new location near campus until next week because of a change in elevation that required a new certificate of occupancy from the City of Abilene.

The CO from the city is the last step before opening, said Gary Goss, project manager at the company doing construction for the franchise.

“It’s nothing with the building, nothing healthrelated,” said Goss of Trek II Construction Corp. “We’re just waiting on the CO, but the city’s holding me up.”

This is the third delay since September for the fast food restaurant, which is the second most anticipated new restaurant in Abilene, according to a KTAB online survey.
Jack in the Box is a fast food chain based out of San Diego with more than 2,100 locations in 18 states.

Abilene’s store, located in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement off State Highway 351, announced a Sept. 28 opening to the Abilene Reporter-News in mid-September. Clarissa Kopchak, owner of the franchise, told the Big Country news it would open Nov. 7 but could not be reached for further comments. The men of Gamma Sigma Phi planned to spend Nov. 7 drawing attention to the restaurant’s opening.

Conner Halstead, junior youth and family ministry major from The Woodlands, said he and about 50 GSP members went to the restaurant Nov. 7 but were told it would not open until the following week. “We wanted GSP to be the first customers, give them a good opening day and get the word out,” said Halstead, GSP senior service activities coordinator.

Goss said it should have opened Monday because all final inspections were completed, but the elevation change required the city’s approval for a new drainage system. The city still is reviewing this change, which is causing the delay.

“We’re waiting on the city; that’s it now,” Goss said. Halstead said the men of GSP will keep in touch with project managers and still expect to participate at the restaurant’s opening.

“There’s still hope that we’ll be out there,” he said.