After months of behind-the-scenes planning and permit paperwork, Chick‑fil‑A is set to swoop into the longtime Bertucci’s space at Snowden Square, with a new restaurant at 9081 Snowden River Parkway slated to open on Thursday. The change will give Columbia its fourth Chick‑fil‑A location and convert the former brick‑oven pizzeria into a fast‑casual spot with indoor seating, a drive‑thru, and outdoor dining.
The chain’s official restaurant page lists the Snowden River Parkway site as “Coming Soon,” according to Chick‑fil‑A. Local coverage reports that the new restaurant is scheduled to open on Thursday, will be operated by Army veteran Joe Dinoto Sr., and will kick things off with a “Moove‑In Party” on opening day, where guests who show up in cow costumes or cow‑spotted accessories can snag a free entrée, according to WMAR‑2 News. That reporting also notes the restaurant will feature a small playground for children.
From Bertucci’s To Chick‑fil‑A
The building at 9081 Snowden River Parkway spent decades as Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza before that Columbia outpost shut its doors last June, according to The Baltimore Sun. County zoning records and an environmental concept plan show the new project is expected to cover roughly 6,058 square feet, with seating for about 102 customers inside and roughly 900 square feet of outdoor dining space, according to Patch.
Permits And Paperwork
State environmental records confirm the redevelopment in the fine print. Bohler Engineering submitted a notice for “CHICK‑FIL‑A #05610 SNOWDEN RIVER” at 9081 Snowden River Parkway, locking in the address and planned construction in public filings, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The project is slated to move through local subdivision and site‑development review before the final round of permits is issued.
What This Means Locally
The Snowden Square restaurant will join existing Chick‑fil‑A locations at the Mall of Columbia, Dobbin Road and Executive Park Drive, per the chain’s Maryland listings. For customers, that could mean shorter drives and a few more breakfast‑and‑lunch options in the mix. For the retail strip, it marks another shift away from older full‑service chains and toward national quick‑service players…