With Popeyes opening, mixed feelings on incoming chains

With Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on track to open in Dutchess County, locals are split on whether the restaurant is a welcome addition or redundant among other area chains.

The proposed fast food restaurant would open at the former Nellie Kelly's bar and restaurant at 535 Haight Ave., Poughkeepsie, on the Route 44/55 arterial. A target for when Popeyes would open will be determined after the permitting process is complete.

Popeyes' menu features fried chicken and seafood alongside various Southern dishes and sides. For Eileen Logiudice, 45, of Dover Plains, it's the perfect place to sate an urge for fast food.

"I love Popeyes," Logiudice said. "I've had to travel to Yonkers in the past when I have the craving for Popeyes. I'm glad they will be closer."

But, Kaleigh O'Connor, 28, of Staatsburg, said that among the restaurants in the area, Popeyes won't stand out.

"I didn't care for the food — neither the taste or freshness," O'Connor said of a previous experience at a non-local Popeyes, adding that she would prefer a Chic-fil-A.

The introduction of Popeyes to the region follows a trend of new chain restaurants coming to the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Hardee's, a fast food burger chain, is expected to open sometime this month. Golden Corral, another chain restaurant prominent in the South, is set to open in Poughkeepsie this summer.

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Outside of Poughkeepsie, the two closest Popeyes restaurants are about 17 miles north in Kingston and about 18 miles south in New Windsor. The franchise operates 51 restaurants in New York, and the Poughkeepsie location would be the first in Dutchess County.

Still, Popeyes will face competition in Dutchess against Kentucky Fried Chicken, with restaurants in Poughkeepsie, Hopewell Junction and Fishkill, as well as Kennedy Fried Chicken in Poughkeepsie and Boston Market in Fishkill.

While Dutchess County features many of the most popular fast food chains, such as McDonald's or Burger King, it lacks many of the smaller, specialty brands.

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Following a public hearing at a Feb.3 Town of Poughkeepsie Town Board meeting, the planning department is expected to review and approve the site plan for Popeyes at its Feb. 18 meeting, according to Neil Wilson, director of municipal development for the Town of Poughkeepsie planning department.

The project is a "priority" for the planning department, with the goal of filling the space, Wilson said.

"We're anxious to get people back into the building," Wilson said.

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Once the site plan is approved, the franchisee would need to submit for a building permit review, which could be approved within a week, Wilson said.

Depending on the weather and conditions for construction, the restaurant could receive a temporary certificate of occupancy by April. This would allow for the training of employees at the site.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: @PoJoGeoffWilson