Timetable Released for Vernon Wendy's Construction

VERNON, CT — Formal construction on a Wendy's in Vernon is scheduled to start by the beginning of August, which would put the popular fast food restaurant in line to open in the beginning of November, the town's economic development coordinator said Monday.

Site clearing has already been taking place.

The Wendy's is slated to go next to the Vernon Taco Bell, which sits at 129 Talcottville Road, the local address for that section of Route 83. Vernon Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately said delays of any sort would change the schedule.

Traffic and sidewalk issues had been holding up the project, but the logistics have been resolved, officials said.

The Wendy's has been proposed for halfway across the current Taco Bell Parking lot and onto an adjacent parcel, on which a single-story commercial building had stood. Customers will have access to the traffic light through a common driveway already shared by the businesses on the parcel, but a dedicated right turn in and a right turn out of the Wendy's closer to the restaurant itself are in the plans, Gately said.

Improvements to the Hockanum River trail system will coincide with the project, municipal officials said.

The franchise will be be owned and operated by Meritage Hospitality.

The fast food chain has been looking to set up shop in Vernon for about seven years, officials said.

Photo Credit: Google Earth; Google Maps

To sign up for Vernon breaking news alerts and more, click here.