Lime Fresh Mexican Grill opens its doors in 140 West

When Lime Fresh Mexican Grill opens its doors today in the 140 West Franklin development, more than 50 sombrero-wearing hot sauce bottles will greet hungry customers.

The restaurant is the first business to open in the $55 million mixed-use project, which includes 26,000 square feet of retail space, 140 condominiums and 337 parking spaces.

140 West’s grand opening will be April 26. Other businesses in the development are slated to open in May and June.

Lime is based out of Miami — a city that has a party-like feel all year, said Mike Hedrick, a concept partner with Lime. Hedrick said the chain wanted to bring the “fiesta” to college towns.

Lime has franchises in Raleigh and College Park, Md., along with several other locations.

Despite competition from similar Franklin Street restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba Mexican Grill, Hedrick said he thinks Lime will hold its own because of its vegetarian options, hot sauce variety and unlimited chips with entrees.

He said Lime offers more options — such as a comprehensive salsa bar, margaritas, beer and wine — than its Franklin Street competitors.

“We are different enough from them that we can share customers,” he said.

UNC freshman Patrick Griffin said he is open to trying Lime.

But sophomore Angelica Rankins said the restaurant might be too similar to Qdoba and Chipotle.

“It might be unnecessary, unless it’s more authentic than Chipotle,” she said.

More to come

Kendria Sweet, spokeswoman for 140 West, said three companies, including Lime, have signed leases for commercial space in the development.

Gigi’s Cupcakes and the Eye Care Center, currently located across the street in University Square, will soon join Lime.

Sweet said Gigi’s plans to open in early May, and the Eye Care Center will open sometime in June.

She said the development could have been fully leased by now if developers had been less selective in the businesses they chose to lease to.

“We’ve been very picky. We’ve been mindful of what we think will benefit the town and Franklin,” Sweet said.

She said another company is close to signing a lease — which could determine whether the development will lean more toward retail or restaurants.

Sweet said interest in 140 West’s condominiums has also been high. Of the development’s 140 condos, she said, 75 percent have been sold — several within the last two weeks.

“I’m hopeful that by the fall you see a noticeable difference coming in,” Sweet said.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.