CRESTVIEW HILLS — Panera Bread, a national bakery-cafe chain, will open its first Northern Kentucky location in front of the Crestview Hills Mall by next spring.

        The full-line bakery, known for its San Francisco sourdough bread, recently received approval from City Council to build the free-standing store south of the mall entrance off Dixie Highway.

        Construction of a Crestview Hills Panera Bread comes two years after residents defeated plans to build a Steak n Shake drive-through restaurant in front of the mall, citing concerns about traffic congestion, litter and air pollution.

        Like the Steak n Shake, Panera Bread is proposed for one of five out-lots in front of the mall facing Dixie Highway. The area was approved for commercial use in a 20-year-old site plan, but was never developed.

        In recent months, Panera Bread officials have addressed the city's concerns about issues such as signs, noise and parking, Mayor Paul Meier said.

        Construction should start by early November. The 5,000-square-foot facility will seat 125 inside, and it will have limited outdoor seating.

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