Details: A second Croutons restaurant is under construction at the corner of Sixth Street and Greenwood Avenue in Bend.

Bart Butler, owner of the Bend Croutons, signed the lease for the eastside location in June hoping to branch out to what he considers to be an underserved market.

This month, construction began to transform the former Renew Fitness building into the sandwich and salad shop.

Hodge Kerr, of Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co. and the project manager for Croutons, said the remodel project is estimated to cost $300,000.

The back half of the building is being remodeled to contain a full operating kitchen for the restaurant, the ceilings were raised and new storefront windows are begin installed, he said.

Butler said the new Croutons will be the seventh in the chain, adding to the Bend’s west-side location and the five other Croutons in San Diego, Calif.

He said the look will differ from the westside restaurant with a more modern, urban decor. It will also be better equipped for grab-and-go purchases, he said. But, the menu will remain the same, with the addition of a couple of new sandwiches and salads that will also be added to the westside menu.

“I’m trying to tap into the eastside market like Baldy’s and Mother’s has done,” he said. “The town is kind of divided.”

Butler hopes to open the new restaurant in early March.

Croutons

564 N.E. Greenwood Ave.

Owner: Bart Butler

General contractor: Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.

Contact: 541-330-1133