Jacob Hamilton

Right Across the Road

Taco Bell's newest location is directly across the street from Bay City Hall at 260 S. Washington Ave., and is the first Taco Bell in the country to sport a new "Heritage" design, which calls back to the original Mission Revival design of early Taco Bell locations.

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Jacob Hamilton

The Big Reveal

The new location hosted a soft opening at 5 p.m. on Dec. 28, which Area Coach James Abbs says drew in a surprising amount of business. The restaurant opened its doors officially at 7 a.m. Dec. 29.

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Jacob Hamilton

Windowed Walls

The new location features a drive-thru, enclosed patio and windows on three sides, with entrances on Washington Avenue and Adams Street.

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Jacob Hamilton

It's an Experiment

The new location began construction in September, and is the fourth location for the restaurant chain within three miles of Bay City Hall. It bears a new design that Bill Beckett, president of WT Development, the architectural and engineering firm for the project called a "test image" - the first of its kind in the country.

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Jacob Hamilton

Open Kitchen

The new design features an open kitchen with new equipment and layout for the restaurant's food preparation area.

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Jacob Hamilton

Wood and Tile

The one-of-a-kind interior features tiled floors, wood accents, custom lighting, large windows and a partially lofted ceiling.

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Jacob Hamilton

Edison Bulbs

In place of the fluorescent lighting found at other locations, the new Taco Bell features antique-style "Edison" filament bulbs in hanging pendant and chandeliers.

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Jacob Hamilton

Urban Aesthetic

Abbs says the new location draws inspiration from the design of the chain's "Taco Bell Cantina" locations - branches in urban areas that feature open kitchens and serve alcoholic beverages.

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Jacob Hamilton

Bar-style Seating

Drawing from the "Cantina" design, the Bay City location features bar-style seating at a table made from reclaimed wood and wooden stools.

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Jacob Hamilton

Refuel and Re-charge

Bar-style seating features built-in outlets and usb chargers.

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Jacob Hamilton

Reclaimed Wood

The bar features an inset that reads "In a previous life I held up the floors of a legendary department store in San Antonio, Texas."

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Jacob Hamilton

Gathering Spot

The "Heritage" interior also features bench seating, cushioned chairs and coffee tables in a group gathering space.

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Jacob Hamilton

Summer in the City

Abbs says he's hoping to capitalize on the influx of potential customers during Bay City's event-filled summer months. "I'm looking forward to the summer," Abbs said. "Bay City's very good about getting people to come into town for events."

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Jacob Hamilton

An Ongoing Experiment

He's looking forward to operating another location closer to the heart of Bay City, and the restaurant's success will be closely monitored, both locally and at the corporate level.



Locally, Abbs says that the restaurant may expand its hours past the usual 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., although he doesn't see it becoming a 24-hour location.



"It all depends on the money - how well we do here." Abbs said.

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Jacob Hamilton

Abstract Art

Interior decor also includes a series of framed wood graphics, broken into fragments, that spell out phrases like "Tacos" and "Taco Bell."

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Jacob Hamilton

Rustic Restrooms

Abbs says that several of the design decisions for the new Taco Bell, like covering the restaurant's bathroom walls with tile, were made after company representatives visited the location last month.

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Jacob Hamilton

In-set Inspiration

A table with seating for eight a the new location bears an in-set that reads "Live a life worth sharing."