Have it your way again in April

LYNN – Burger King will reopen its Boston Street franchise in April and owner Larry Kohler said he will follow past practice and predominantly hire local residents to help customers “have it your way.”An October 2013 fire, in Kohler?s words, “pretty much destroyed” the 108 Boston St. eatery, but an almost $500,000 replacement project will give Whopper lovers “a totally brand-new” place to eat.Kohler said about half of the Boston Street franchise employees relocated to jobs at other area Burger Kings following the fire. He said about 50 employees worked on Boston Street – almost all of them Lynn residents.?It?s always been a great location for us in terms of getting good, hard-working people,” Kohler said.Burger King?s reopening is part of a business spurt on Boston Street that saw the new CVS open on Boston and Ford streets last year and plans announced by workout chain Planet Fitness to open in the former Johnnie?s Foodmaster site in May.Planet Fitness franchise co-owner Taylor Mandell in January said the gym will have more than 100 pieces of strength-building and cardiovascular equipment into 18,000 square feet inside the 28,000 square foot building.The rest of the building will be leased out to a yet-to-be-specified sublease tenant.City Councilors have taken part in preliminary discussions about a prospective housing development on North Bend Street with initial plans for three buildings. No zoning change discussions related to the proposal have taken place to date.Kohler has worked for Burger King for 50 years, starting as an hourly employee and working his way up the promotion ladder.?If you?re interested in being your own boss, this is a great way to start with an established business,” he said.