Known for its regional American food and delectable cinnamon-sugar-covered doughnuts, Montana Avenue is slated to close Aug. 15.
Sam Fox of Scottsdale-based Fox Restaurant Concepts said that after a speedy four-day remodeling, the east-side restaurant will transform into another Zinburger by mid-August.
This will be the 42-year-old's fourth Zinburger. In addition to a location at 1865 E. River Road, one in Phoenix opened just over a year ago, and one is in Clifton, N.J.
Fox, a Tucson native, said they're looking to add three more Zinburgers in Arizona, including one in Tucson. Montana Avenue opened in November 2005 and is at 6390 E. Grant Road.
The 5,800-square-foot eatery was Fox's eighth concept, and he put more than $2 million into making the space look like a modern ski lodge in Aspen, Colo.
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With 32 restaurants, Montana Avenue is only the second concept Fox has dismissed. The other, Tucson's Bistro Zin, was closed in May 2007 and replaced by the first Zinburger in December 2007 on River Road.
After a $400,000 remodeling, the Grant Road location will share similarities with the River Road Zinburger and boast its own large cow mural inside.
Fox said there will be an open-air patio with the bar wrapping around indoors and outdoors. About 40 seats will be added, making capacity about 160.
Until the end of July, Montana Avenue will offer half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays and continue its happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
The new Zinburger will retain Montana Avenue's phone number - 298-2020.
NORTH REMODELING TOO
Most of Fox's concepts have started in Tucson or the Phoenix area, but he has restaurants in Kansas, Colorado, Texas and California.
Tucson's Fox restaurants are Sauce, North, Wildflower, and Blanco Tacos and Tequila. In September, Tucson's North will undergo a $700,000 remodeling, Fox said.
"North is going to be spectacular," he said. "We're taking what we have and trying to make it better. We're trying to make the brands we have stronger."
Fox's first concept, Wildflower, 7037 N. Oracle Road, opened in March 2001. Before Wildflower, he was part-owner in four Tucson restaurants.
Fox restaurants in other cities include Modern Steak, Culinary Dropout, The Arrogant Butcher, Bloom, and Olive and Ivy.
A Q&A with Fox:
Why are you closing Montana Avenue?
"After searching for a year on the east side, I can't find the real estate I like.
"(Montana Avenue is) doing good - it's just not doing great. We already control the real estate, and we feel that that concept appeals to more people.
"It's more about the growth of Zinburger."
How many jobs will be lost or gained with the switch?
"We're probably going to gain about 25 jobs."
Other than Bistro Zin, is this the only other concept you've decided to eliminate?
"Yes. ... With 12 brands, it's hard to run the company like that. We're trying to figure out four brands to grow ... (including) North, True Food Kitchen and Zinburger."
What will happen to some of Montana Avenue's favorite dishes, like the doughnut dessert?
"Maybe Wildflower will have it. ... We don't know yet."
Are there plans to add more Zinburgers? If so, what cities?
"Yes. We're looking in Austin (Texas) and Orange County (Calif.)."
Are you planning to bring any of your Phoenix concepts, like The Arrogant Butcher, to Tucson?
"I think we'll wind up with a True Food (Kitchen) within three years."
Contact reporter Valerie Vinyard at vvinyard@azstarnet.com or at 573-4136.
