Domino’s Pizza could open in Parsons as early as February, the future owner told city commissioners Tuesday.
The Parsons City Commission approved a $115,000 loan for Pizza Properties LLC for the future Domino’s carry-out and delivery restaurant that will be built east of the new Dollar Tree, 2105 Main. The 20-year loan with 4.25 percent interest will come from a revolving loan fund created by three contributions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and city funding.
The commissioners also approved a $5,000 retail recruitment incentive grant to Pizza Properties.
Emily Elwell, who owns Pizza Properties with her husband, Dan, told the commissioners Dan Elwell discovered Parsons as he was taking a different route back to their Webb City, Missouri, home from their Domino’s in Fort Scott.
Elwell said the Parsons store will be their ninth. The Elwells met while working for a Domino’s. Dan Elwell was a driver and Emily Elwell was an order taker. They worked their way up until they bought their own Domino’s and then expanded from there.
“We have a great story and would love to expand into your city,” Emily Elwell said.
Mayor Kevin Cruse said the Elwells and the city are fortunate that there is plenty of money in the revolving loan fund because it hasn’t been used in several years. Interest rates had been low enough on the private market to make the 4.25 percent offered in the revolving loan fund to be less attractive.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)