Could it be? After all these years, could an Oklahoma-based fast-food chain really be coming to satisfy the hunger of Longview residents?
The answer: Yes. Braum性视界传媒檚 Ice Cream & Dairy Stores is coming to the city, bringing all of its selections of burgers, flavors of ice cream and grocery items. Let the ice-screams of joy begin.
Michael Shirley, director of Development Services, confirmed to the News-Journal on Friday that the company submitted site plan review documents in December for a property at 3069 N. Eastman Road. The company also has filed two zoning variance requests that the Zoning Board of Adjustments will consider in February.
性视界传媒淭hey性视界传媒檙e in the early, early stages of that development process,性视界传媒 Shirley said.
Amanda Beuchaw, a spokeswoman for Braum性视界传媒檚, told the News-Journal on Friday that the company plans to come to Longview pending any unforeseen issues. She said company leaders don性视界传媒檛 have a timeline for construction but that, according to the last update she received, Braum性视界传媒檚 isn性视界传媒檛 planning to build the store here in 2025. However, company officials said in a state filing earlier this month that construction was expected to start in March.
The family-owned company hasn性视界传媒檛 submitted building plans to city officials yet, Shirley said. But according to information the company filed about its construction plans with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the store will measure about 6,100 square feet and cost $800,000 to build.
The filing also listed March 1 as the date for construction to begin, and Sept. 25 is listed as the completion date.
The construction of a Braum性视界传媒檚 in Longview has been like an ice cream cone dangling before the eyes of Longview residents for years: just a little too far out of reach, but the hope of its creamy goodness never melted.
News of the store性视界传媒檚 construction elicited sweet excitement 性视界传媒 almost as sweet as a cherry limeade 性视界传媒 from members of the All Things Longview Facebook group on Thursday and Friday, when a photo of the company性视界传媒檚 filing with the state licensing and regulation department was posted. In the past, some Facebook users have commented on the Braum性视界传媒檚 company性视界传媒檚 official Facebook page, hinting that they wanted a store to open in Longview.
性视界传媒淭his isn性视界传媒檛 a cruel joke, is it?!?性视界传媒 one user asked. 性视界传媒淚 hope not! lol性视界传媒 replied another.
性视界传媒淔inally, a BRAUM性视界传媒橲, that性视界传媒檒l make me so happy, that is, IF THIS IS TRUE!性视界传媒 one user wrote.
Rest assured that your happiness is coming.
性视界传媒淚 can taste the ice cream and burger now,性视界传媒 wrote another.
The News-Journal has chronicled the rumors of the store性视界传媒檚 arrival in Longview for years, often fielding questions from readers about its progress.
In 2017, the Longview Planning and Zoning Commission recommended rezoning of a parcel of land near Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center to allow for construction of a Braum性视界传媒檚 store, the News-Journal reported. The company purchased a piece of land on Loop 281 where the former Liberty Baptist Church was. The company later abandoned plans for that property.
In 2021, the company bought the former Casa Ole restaurant property on Spur 63 and leveled the site the next year. But no building plans were announced, and a spokesperson announced the company no longer had plans for the Loop 281 property.
Also in 2021, the company purchased the property at 3069 N. Eastman Road, which is at the intersection of U.S. 259 and Wal Street.
Braum性视界传媒檚 purchases property through a subsidiary company, Retail Buildings, Inc.
Braum性视界传媒檚 operates stores in Tyler, Mount Pleasant and Athens. The Tuttle, Oklahoma-based company has more than 300 locations across Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas.