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The town of Boone is currently without a Mellow Mushroom for the first time in over 10 years-but not for much longer.
A new Mellow Mushroom is set to open in January 2011 on the corner of West King Street and Water Street.
Chuck H. Ludekke, the original owner of Boone's Mellow Mushroom franchise, will own the new restaurant location.
"I just felt like it was a crime not to have a Mellow Mushroom in Boone, and it has been such a staple in the community," Luddeke said. Luddeke opened Boone's original Mellow Mushroom on Rivers Street in 1995, but in 2001 he sold it and opened another chain of the franchise in Blowing Rock.
He said he knew about the possibility of opening the new Boone restaurant for about a year, and felt bringing some changes to the franchise, including the new venue, would have really positive impacts.
"It's still going to have a great and comfortable atmosphere," Ludekke said. "It'll still be casual and fun, but it's also going to be incredibly unique."
Part of this uniqueness will be artwork in the restaurant that Luddeke is hoping to have done through Appalachian's art department.
Michael S. Grady, chairperson of the art department, said this project is still in the early planning stages, but "everyone's pretty excited about it."
Ludekke thinks the opening of this new branch of the Mellow Mushroom restaurant should please a lot of people in Boone.
"I think everybody is just so excited they can't stand it," he said.
Annemarie J. Anglim, sophomore Appalachian studies major, said she already missed Mellow Mushroom, even though it's only been closed for a couple weeks.
"It wasn't just about the pizza," she said, "but it was the overall great experience the restaurant provided."
Story: MOLLY SPEARS, Intern News Reporter |
