Culver's restaurant on its way to State of Franklin

The Johnson City commission unanimously approved all items on its agenda Thursday, including a deal that will bring a Culver's restaurant to Johnson City. Located on a 1.88-acre lot, formerly known as Optimist Park, the future Culver's would sit on Sells Avenue behind the Publix on North State of Franklin Road behind the Publix supermarket. Commissioners approved an agreement Thursday that sold the city land to Culver's franchisee Lisa Noakes for $1.125 million Noakes, who recently moved to Johnson City with her family, spoke to commissioners with her two daughters and parents in the public seating to support. "Last June, we visited Johnson City for the first time and immediately we knew this was where we wanted to build our future," Noakes said. Noakes is entering the sale agreement through her LLC, 4MYFLOWERS Real Estate, which she said is named after her two young daughters, Iris and Violet. "I look forward to serving up great food, excellent service and genuine hospitality — and more importantly — I look forward to being an asset to our community by providing good jobs, community vitality and by giving back in many ways," Noakes said Noakes told commissioners she plans on incorporating greenspace into the restaurant plans to honor the land's former park use. Currently, the Culver's locations nearest to Johnson City are in Sevierville, Knoxville and Asheville. The Wisconsin-style drive-through and dine-in restaurant is known for its burgers, cheese curds and custard. With the sale agreement's approval, a 150-day due diligence period will begin for the buyer. If this goes smoothly, a closing date will be set and a rezoning for the property will have three readings before the commission. Johnson City Mayor Greg Cox joined the rest of the commission in resounding support of the project. "This city has some land that has better uses and this is the perfect use for it," Cox said. If all goes as planned, Noakes said she hopes to break ground on the property in November and open in about a year. "This time next year is when we plan to be open," Noakes said.