KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Fritz, the downtown Keene restaurant best known for its Belgian fries, is preparing to relocate from Central Square to a larger space on West Street later this year. Owner and general manager Jenna LeQuire confirmed the move in a Facebook post, noting the new location will provide more kitchen capacity, better parking and opportunities to expand the menu.

The new home for Fritz will be the former Panera Bread building at 298 West St., which has been vacant since the national chain moved to the Monadnock Marketplace in 2023. LeQuire said the building’s layout and size are well suited to Fritz’s operations, offering more room for food preparation and service than the aging Central Square location.

Lease details are being finalized this week, with renovations to follow. Upgrades will include new furniture, ventilation systems and electric kitchen equipment. Because of the building’s different setup, appliances and furnishings from Central Square will stay behind.

LeQuire said the move is expected to happen in December or January, slightly later than originally planned due to the extended lease process. The restaurant will aim for a seamless transition, with operations shifting quickly from one location to the other.

Along with more efficient service, Fritz plans to introduce an updated breakfast menu featuring additional grab-and-go items. The West Street site also provides free, expanded parking, which management believes will improve customer access.

This marks the third move for Fritz since its founding in 2003. The restaurant previously operated in the Center at Colony Mill and on Main Street before settling into Central Square. While LeQuire acknowledged that leaving downtown will be difficult, she said the decision made sense ahead of the city’s major infrastructure project that is expected to affect parking and accessibility.