By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Ground will be broken next week for a new travel plaza north of Interstate 70 in Hays.

It was “one hurdle after another to go through,” Curtis Weilert said Saturday. “We originally were hoping to get underway in January.”

JT Travel Plaza LLC will be built just north of IHOP Restaurant at 1130 E. 41st in the Home Depot Subdivision. Weilert’s father Michael D. Weilert is the owner; Curtis is the general manager.

“This will be a great addition to Hays,” Curtis Weilert said Saturday. “There’ll be a Cenex gas station, a Schlotzky’s/Cinnabon restaurant combination with a drive-thru, and a convenience store.”

JT Travel Plaza is scheduled to open in mid-August. Weilert called it “an aggressive schedule.” He plans to begin hiring employees in about 60 days — about mid-June.

“We’ll hire up to 35 people both full- and part-time,” he said.

Nick Finnegan has already been hired as store manager. Finnegan and Weilert will soon attend Schlotzsky’s training in Austin, Tex.

Schlotzsky’s is owned by the same group of people who own Cinnabon, according to Weilert.

“Schlotzsky’s is more than sandwiches now. The menu additions include flatbread pizza, pasta and some wonderful salads. Schlotzsky’s will also have breakfast. We will be open at 6 a.m.”

Drivers will be able to purchase diesel fuel at the plaza. “We’re not a truck stop. We will be able to accommodate RVs and (diesel) pickups.”

“We’ll post gas prices on two signs, one of which will be the current Home Depot pylon sign,” Weilert said.

“Competition north of I-70 will be good for Hays,” he added.