Crestview is constantly growing with new housing developments as well as retail and eating establishments.
When we lived in Texas, we lived in a town almost exactly the size of Crestview. Marshall, Texas has an abundance of hotels/motels as it is right off Interstate 20, with some good restaurants and a Walmart. For needed household items, such as a new dryer, we had to drive to Shreveport, Louisiana.
Here in Crestview, we have lots of amenities for a town our size with most everything available. Of course, since we are human, we want more options available, myself included.
One thing that is desperately needed is relief from the traffic trying to get through town. I live at the north end of town and rarely venture to the south end because of the terrible traffic. We need real traffic solutions now, not in 10 more years.
When we moved here over 12 years ago, we were told traffic solutions were on their way. We are still waiting.
Fortunately, new restaurants and shopping are being built in both ends of town. In the Northcrest shopping center, there are new retail businesses alongside Publix. Wendy's in the same center seems to do a very brisk business.
In the south end of town, Popeye's Chicken is waiting for final permits from the Department of Transportation in order to open for business. In the middle of Crestview, in the Bent Creek shopping center, Pepper's Mexican Grill was set to open in August, but they are waiting for city permits and estimate a September opening.
They have pictures of their progress on their Facebook page and will announce their opening on Facebook. If Pepper's food is as delicious as it is at their Shalimar location, this place will be packed.
Have you eaten at the new Chick-fil-A? I haven't had the chance, as every time I drive by the place is packed. I drove by this evening and both drive through lanes were jammed. So was the lobby, which is great for business. That is also good news for residents as more businesses will want to move to Crestview.
We now have several new fast food and sit down restaurants from which to choose. Let's continue to support businesses in Crestview so we keep adding new choices, but let's not forget our favorites.
Now if we could just get a Longhorn Steakhouse!
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview growth includes new restaurants