Nearly six months after a local developer confirmed that he would be putting in a TGI Friday’s at White Oaks in Bridgeport, the building permit has been filed. A check of permits at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex shows that the permit was filed on August 26.

 

“This is certainly good news for the region, Bridgeport and the White Oaks development,” said Community Development Director Randy Spellman.

 

The building permit provided some details of the project. The estimated cost for the project is $1.9 million, which produced a permit fee of $13,900. More important than the fee is what it brings to the substantial workforce at White Oaks and surrounding areas.

 

“When you look at the overall development at White Oaks and you realize that Dominion will soon be opening with hundreds of new employees and you add in the other businesses that are there, it wasn’t a secret that getting additional eating establishments was a concern,” said Spellman. “To add a quality national chain like TGI Friday’s helps round out the business park and particularly for those working there it gives them another option on what is often a limited lunch hour or dinner break.”

 

The general contractor for the project is T&J Development, Inc. out of Morgantown. The building covers 6,200 square feet. According to Developer John Mosesso, the Bridgeport Friday’s will be one of the new prototype locations.

 

“We’ll be the second one that is a standalone in the country,” said Mosesso. “The other one is in Cincinnati and we’re going to be the second.”

 

The prototype will include many new features he said. Among those features include a patio and garage type doors that can be opened up for various events.

 

John Mosesso, who is handling the project with Jerry Hamerski, is a familiar name in the food industry business in the region and is known by many as the owner and operator of Lil’ Moe’s in Philippi.

 

“We’ve got the site work pretty much ready to roll and we’re working with our contractor to set the (sub) contractors lined up,” said Mosesso. “You want to tie up loose ends as you plan because the plan is what makes the project go. The last thing you want is to have an incomplete plan that requires a lot of change orders and additional costs.

 

“Even though it’s a little longer than we anticipated, it’s still on, it’s definite and we’re ready to go,” said Mosesso. “I don’t know the exact time line, but it won’t be this year for sure. I’m thinking by spring of next year you should see us operating. I’m excited because everyone is telling us that it’s going to be a big success because of the need and because of the location. I can’t wait.”

 

Stay tuned to Connect-Bridgeport for additional information on this project as it becomes available.

 

Editor's Note: Bottom photo shows where the TGI Friday's will be located facing Interstate 79 and along the southbound off ramp onto Jerry Dove Drive.