Zoning Board OKs Buffalo Wild Wings Plans

Buffalo Wild Wings got the OK from the township zoning board Tuesday night to open its beer-and-wings-fueled sports bar at East Gate Square. 

Chair Mike Locatell said the zoning board made multiple requests—including the installation of a fence along Harper Drive to discourage jaywalkers and for the restaurant to slightly tone down its signature color scheme to better blend in with the rest of the shopping center—all of which Buffalo Wild Wings agreed to.

The board also approved the franchise's request for outdoor seating. 

Locatell said the company's application was "well-received by the board. I think it'll be a good fit."

He said the franchise has received all the necessary approvals from the zoning board, and the next step is for the company to submit applications for construction permits.

Buffalo Wild Wings plans to completely raze the Friendly's restaurant and construct a new, 7,500-square-foot building, he said. Friendly's is approximately 5,000 square feet.

When all this is expected to occur, however, is still unclear. Locatell said Buffalo Wild Wings did not provide a timeline for when it expected demolition or construction to start, nor was it clear when Friendly's would be closing.

A manager at the East Gate Friendly's was also unable to provide information. A call to a spokesman for the management company that owns the property was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Locatell said Friendly's has operated out of its East Gate location since roughly 1996. Prior to that it was located across the street at the Moorestown Mall.

Buffalo Wild Wings will be the recipient of the liquor license East Gate Square bought from the township for $1,035,000.