Taco John's has plans for empty restaurant

The shuttered restaurant sandwiched between McDonald's and The Real Estate Mall is about to return to its roots.

Representatives of Taco John's a "West-Mex" franchise headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyo., hope to move into the former Chinese restaurant by the end of the year.

Minden Town Board members approved an additional 415 square feet to be added to the north side of the building which opened more than 15 years ago as Taco Maker.

"We hope to start construction in the month of March with six months until buildout," said Pat Clark, representing the franchise owners.

Town board members encouraged Clark to ask the owners to keep the color scheme toned down.

The franchise features a bright brick red and golden yellow exterior.

"The more muted we get, the more we have to work with the franchise. The brighter we get, the more we have to work with you," Clark said.

He presented the board with a palette of colors he said would be acceptable to the franchise.

Town engineer Bruce Scott said Minden required similar design concessions from McDonald's which added a "Playplace" to its restaurant next to the proposed Taco John's.

"McDonald's is unique," he said. "It was designed at the town's request and they're (McDonald's) are very proud of it," Scott said.

The town also worked with Atlantic Richfield to design the AM-PM Minimart.

Clark said Taco John's will be exclusive to Minden with the closest one in Reno.

A third Taco John's is in southern Nevada.

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Taco John's

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