If you’ve been wondering, “Are they ever going to start building the new Chick-fil-A at the Kelso Mall?” there is good news. City Engineer Michael Kardus said Tuesday that, from what he understands, the company is fully permitted and planning to start construction this month.

The city first announced that the chicken-based fast-food restaurant could be coming to Kelso back in March of 2025. Then, back in February of this year, a preliminary site plan for the franchise was put on the Kelso City website. The plan proposed building the 4,841-square-foot restaurant in the Three Rivers Mall parking lot at the corner between JCPenney, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Target.

Currently, it is not known how long the project will take between construction and the opening date.

Also near the new Chick-fil-A, there are plans for another franchise to move in: another Kelso Dutch Bros location. That project, however, is currently on hold because they are not quite fully permitted. Originally, the plan had been for that new facility to start being built this summer.