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Chester Taco Bell opening delayed until Monday

The new Taco Bell in Chester's Camptown section is on the homestretch toward completion, with workers aiming for a 9 a.m. Monday opening.

Earlier Friday, Brian Hubbard, regional general manager for Taco Bell franchisee K-MAC Holdings Corporation, told the Herald Tribune staff was "hopeful" for a Saturday opening.

"We are hoping for 9 a.m., barring any unforeseen setbacks," said Brian Hubbard, regional general manager for franchisee K-MAC Holdings Corporation. "It would be Tuesday at the latest."

And one of those setbacks occurred later that day, as Project Superintendent Jeff Shockley confirmed to the newspaper that problems with the restaurant's point-of-sale computer system meant that the opening would have to be delayed.

"(Staff) wants to make sure they have all their Ts crossed before they open," he said.

The site at 2235 State Street at the corner of Dixie Drive and Route 150 was a beehive of activity on Friday, as workers unloaded a food truck while a paving crew put the finishing touches on an overlay of the parking lot.

Nearby, a crew with Piros Signs of Barnhart, Mo., was installing the official Taco Bell logos and insignias on the outside of the building.

Hubbard said K-MAC had been eyeing the spot for several years.

"We're absolutely excited to be here," he said. "We've been in talks for a couple of years and we're happy to finally see it come to fruition."

Hubbard noted that management of the new location, technically known as Taco Bell No. 730, would be coming from Perryville, but other employees would be local. All have already been trained at other Taco Bell restaurants.

Once operational, the restaurant's hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Shockley previously told the Herald Tribune the restaurant had an original opening date of July 17, but construction progressed quickly due to good weather and good help.

"We've been very fortunate," he said. "I've had a good team and, obviously, to do one of these in 65 days is out of the ordinary.

"We normally get 75 days."

A paving crew with Creve Couer Paving, of St. Peters, Mo., works on an overlay of the parking lot on Friday. Pete Spitler/Herald Tribune
K-MAC Regional General Manager Brian Hubbard (far right) assists with the unloading of a food truck on Friday. Pete Spitler/Herald Tribune