By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

After years of requests from customers,  Mighty Taco announced it will open a downtown Buffalo location.

It will lease a portion of the first-floor space in the historic Calumet building on Chippewa Street between Pearl and Franklin streets. Mighty Taco is expected to open by early spring.

The popular restaurant chain is leasing space that was once the Third Room and, more recently, La Luna nightclub.

The restaurant Bacchus also is located on the Calumet's first floor.

The building was acquired by the law firm Kenney Shelton Liptak & Nowak LLP, which is renovating the upper floors and plans to move from the Rand Building in the sprring.

Downtown leaders say they welcome the addition of Mighty Taco to Chippewa Street.

"When people come to Buffalo, they invariably ask where is the Anchor Bar and where is Mighty Taco," said Michael Schmand, Buffalo Place Inc. executive director. "Now we can say both are in downtown Buffalo. This decision really bodes well for downtown and the central business district."

With the newest site, Mighty Taco will have 20 locations. That includes its first restaurant in the Rochester market when it opens in Henrietta this spring.