Students and faculty no longer have to walk to Cameron Village or Glenwood South to get a quick fix for a Tex-Mex burrito, with a new branch of Chipotle Mexican Grill opening on Hillsborough Street. The new restaurant, according to the Executive Director of the Hillsborough Street Community Services Corporation Jeff Murison , will bring new traffic to the refurbished street.

“[Chipotle] introduces Hillsborough [Street] as a destination for a food, night life and recreation to the new and returning students to let them know that Hillsborough Street is a focal point of Wolfpack Pride and school spirit,” Murison said.  

Opening in the former GoPak Bazaar location, Chipotle will face off in front of Mexican restaurant Chile Bomba , formerly El Rodeo.

Murison , who has been with the Hillsborough Street Community Services Corporation since May 2010, has been working with investors and corporations to rebuild business on the street. He said bringing in a well-known company like Chipotle will bring attention to the street.

“When you think about where to go to celebrate before, during or after a sporting event you think of Hillsborough Street and when you’re looking for a place to take your parents or friends from out of town, Hillsborough will be the most appealing option for a good time,” Murison said.   

Gray Smith, a senior in the College of Natural Resources, said Chipotle will bring in healthy competition to the local business scene.

“Chipotle and [former] El Rodeo, a popular Mexican restaurant, will help out both and surrounding businesses and the community because competition is always good.”

Murison said he hopes the two establishments work together to do a Cinco de Mayo event to cap off the academic year next May.

“I got here in May of 2010 and by September the construction [of Hillsborough Street] was completed—since then I have noticed a great increase of foot traffic and reports say that the 2010 school year was pretty successful but predictions for the 2011 year are even greater,” Murison said.

Sophomore in Chemical Engineering, Sruthi Mohan , said she’s looking forward to having Chipotle in close proximity to campus.

“I think this will definitely help to liven up Hillsborough and be an excellent example of all the new renovations to come,” Mohan said.