Good news for fans of the Habit and Panera in Modesto

If the phone calls and emails I have been getting are any indication, a lot of folks out there are interested in when Panera and the Habit might open in Modesto. I have some answers.

Panera, a popular chain bakery cafe, and Habit Burger Grill, a Santa Barbara-based burger chain, are going into separate sites both under construction in the shopping center on the northwest corner of Briggsmore and McHenry avenues.

Those looking for their Panera fix will be happy to learn it will start serving pastries, soups, coffees and the like this summer. The Modesto site is set to open in July, spokeswoman Amanda Cardosi said.

Modesto’s Panera is a “Panera 2.0,” Cardosi said.

That means a few differences, particularly in how you order and get your food. In the upgraded Paneras, according to information from the company, people can order from kiosks inside the restaurant, as well as from their table and even from their car. And for those who order from their table, the food will be delivered.

The restaurant also will have a designated “to-go” area, so those who call in orders or make them from the kiosks can head directly there for their goodies.

As for the Habit, across the parking lot, fans will have a bit longer to wait for the eatery to open.

Habit representative Maria Everhart said the company is looking to open by Sept. 16 – hopefully. “But no later than Sept. 23.”

The buildings that will house those restaurants also will have other occupants, including a dental office and a new Starbucks. There’s already a Starbucks in that shopping center, but it will move into the new building, which will include a drive-through.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE BUSINESS BEAT: There’s a new spot in Oakdale where you can shop for some nice duds: Kristine Fallentine recently opened Kristine’s Designer Clothing.

Fallentine said her shop is aimed at women who wear missy sizes ranging from extra-small to 1X.

“We have a good selection of casual, evening and work attire,” she said. Just about everything she carries is made in the United States.

The focus of the shop is on customer service.

“I had one woman in here this morning who picked out some tops and took them to the dressing room,” Fallentine said. “Based on her figure, I brought some more tops I thought would look good on her.”

After the customer tried them on, she said, “Oh, thank you! I never would have thought of trying these.”

It’s the best part of small business – that person-to-person service.

Kristine’s Designer Clothing is at 1214 W. F St., Suite A1. Store hours are Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and by appointment. Call (209) 844-5018.

▪ Turlockers soon will have a couple of new places to stop in for a bite. Both Buffalo Wild Wings in Monte Vista Crossings and Taco Bell off Christoffersen Parkway near Pitman High School look like they’re about ready to open.

This story was originally published May 30, 2015 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Good news for fans of the Habit and Panera in Modesto."