Plans for the new Panera Bread at the Shops at Worthington Place were approved by the Worthington Architectural Review Board (ARB) on Dec. 8.

And though plans have not been made public, mall owner Tom Carter confirmed that Piada Italian Street Food has signed a contract to become part of the expanded and remodeled shopping center.

Piada is a casual Italian restaurant that makes pasta and salads and other dishes to order. Piadas are located in Upper Arlington, Easton, Gahanna, and Bexley.

Piada reportedly will build along the east side of the mall, with some physical connection to the main building.

Carter said he is not ready to announce any more new restaurants headed for Worthington Place, but confirmed that talks are under way to fill the space across the entryway from First Watch.

The Worthington Craft Guild shop currently occupies that space. It will remain in the center, but will move into an interior space, said shop director Gloria Yonnadi.

Panera will occupy the former Chili’s and Arby’s space at the south end.

A separate entrance will be surrounded by green tile with the words “Panera Bread” and the restaurant logo above the door. A few outdoor tables are shown on the plans.

The ARB also approved plans for additions and renovations of the north end of the mall. Much of the work on the south end was completed in early November so the existing shops could be open for holiday shopping.

New shops already in that space include Simply Baby & Me, Learning Express Toys, Bill’s Buckeye Stuff, Montero Native Market and Audacious, a woman’s accessory shop. More new tenants will be announced in the next few weeks, Carter said.

Among the plans for the north end of the Shops is an outdoor children’s play area, designed for parents with small children. It will be adjacent to the north end of the mall, with existing walls and a fence securing the area.

The play area will have a Johnny Appleseed theme, with a custom apple sculpture and cut-outs and the words, “The sun and the rain and the appleseed,” on one of the brick walls.

There will also be a playhouse and benches, synthetic turf and landscaping.

The northeast entrance will be set back 75 feet to create a courtyard, adding outdoor gathering space and more store frontage.

The new entry will be metallic. Storefronts will be brick and limestone on the north, and a combination of masonry veneer and fiber cements on the south. Individual storefronts will be modified for individual tenants.