Chipotle Finally Opening in Capitola on Wednesday

Back in 2009, Chipotle Mexican Grill, the healthy giant among fast food chains, proposed its first location in Santa Cruz County. While the company received permits to build at Ocean and Water Streets in Santa Cruz, the restaurant was never erected. The company blamed Shell for leaving the lot too dirty to build upon.

Two years later, Santa Cruz County is finally getting its Chipotle, right here in Capitola on Clares Street next to and . The storefront that will be Chipotle has been vacant since last September. 

After months of construction, , the new location will open Wednesday, June 22, Chipotle Communications Director Chris Arnold told Patch in an email last week. 

A sign still remains in the window of the restaurant soliciting job applications for employees to fill the assembly line in the business. Emails concerning employment at Chipotle in Capitola should be directed to nita8610@gmail.com. 

Chipotle openings are generally large community events. When a new Chipotle opened in Roanoke, Virginia earlier this month, six people camped out waiting for burritos, and another 100 people showed up before the store was unlocked in the morning. It remains to be seen if a similar landscape will fill Clares Street on Wednesday.

Are you excited for the new Chipotle Mexican Grill? Will you go to the opening on Wednesday? Tell us in the comments.