GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The future of a possible Popeye’s on Green Bay’s East Side is on pause. Green Bay’s Plan Commission tabled the item during Monday night’s meeting. The committee would like to see a study on traffic impact before it moves forward.
Wally’s Stop Supper Club on the East Side is what many call a staple to the area.
“It’s a fixture in Green Bay,” said Alderperson Lynn Gerlach.
The news of it potentially turning into a Popeye’s, had Gerlach knocking on doors looking for input on the change. While she didn’t hear any complaints from neighbors, she knows traffic will be a concern. Just like when Popeye’s on West Mason opened.
“If they back up in this area, this busy intersection it would be disastrous.”
One of those specific traffic concerns is potential backup from the drive through at an already busy intersection here at East Mason and Main Street.
“You know this is my area I’m around here all the time so I’m concerned about extra traffic and getting around especially during rush hour times,” said Betty Kossik of Green Bay.
Kossik tells FOX 11 she’s waiting for more information on the traffic impact.
“I’m just really concerned about a Popeye’s going in here, I’m anxious to see the plans and what will happen.”
Which is what the Plan Commission is also waiting for– a traffic impact analysis study.
While Wally’s owner, Tom Adamany, told Fox 11 his family business that’s been here since 1969 wasn’t for sale.
“It was not listed they did approach us,” said Adamany.
And the sale isn’t final, he hopes potential new owners will keep the neighbors satisfied. As well as keep an eye on traffic.
“I believe the lot is big enough if it’s done correctly I don’t think traffic will be an issue,” said Adamany. “Plus, it’s their second location so I don’t think it will be quite the same volume they had at the first location.”
And with it possibly being the second Popeye’s in Green Bay, both the developer and franchise owner believe that will alleviate traffic at both locations.
“Never the same response when you penetrate the market initially. It won’t be anything near what we saw on the West Side,” said franchise owner Brian Smith during Monday’s meeting.
The City is expecting to receive the traffic report sometime this week. The Plan Commission will review it at its next meeting, which is April 26th.
