A new 3,044 square-foot Lion’s Choice, complete with outdoor patio seating, tin ceiling and a dual drive-thru, will open this June in the Fountain Plaza by Lifetime Fitness.

“I think it will be well received,” Ellisville City Manager Bill Schwer said. “It is a modern design and they have healthy food options. The food selections may fit well with the patrons of LifeTime Fitness and the rest of the community.”

Schwer said he doubts the new Lion’s Choice and the one on Manchester Road in Ballwin will compete. The Ellisville location will pull people from north and west of its location, while the one on Manchester Road attracts customers who live east of the establishment.

Mark Disper, president and CEO of Lion’s Choice, said the old Lion’s Choice in Ballwin was their first store, which opened in 1967. The new establishment in Ellisville will be their twenty-fourth store.

Disper said what sets Lion’s Choice apart from other fast food chains is great service, great taste and great nutrition, which is reflected in the updated, contemporary look for the new establishment in Ellisville.

“It’s the feel, the environment,” Disper said. “We want showcase what we do. We make quality products. The kitchen is all open.”

The location of the new Lion’s Choice is really great, Disper said. He predicts it will do extremely well, given the close proximity of MHS and Crestview Middle School.

“We wanted to expand, and we wanted to expand here in the St. Louis market,” Disper said. “This is our hometown. Our corporate headquarters is at Mason and 40. We wanted to stay here in St. Louis, and introduce everyone here to our new concept that we have.”

Disper said the close proximity of Lifetime Fitness will be extremely beneficial to the new store. If a person finishes working out and needs some protein to rejuvenate, he or she can stop by the new Lion’s choice.

Lion’s Choice will also cater MHS Senior Farewell after Graduation on May 21.

Disper said he is also looking to add more locations in the greater St. Louis area at the end of this year or beginning of 2016, Disper said.

“Everyone here’s excited about it,” Disper said. It’s a fast-casual; it’s not so much a quick serve. It’s going to be more about the dine-in experience. It’s a timeless feel.”

Ryan Berger, sophomore, said he really likes Lion’s Choice because he likes sandwiches, and he used to go there often with his family. He has had some good memories there.

Berger said he used to always go to the old Lion’s Choice on Manchester Road, but now that a new one is opening he will most likely go to the new one when it opens.

“I think [the new Lion’s Choice] will be good for the area,” Berger said. “New businesses are always good.”