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Demolition last hurdle for ‘healthy supermarket’
(by Sue Reid - August 24, 2012)
Demolition last hurdle for ‘healthy supermarket’
By SUE REID
Earth Fare is aggressively preparing to occupy the former Stein Mart space in the Solon Square Shopping Center on Aurora Road (Route 43), as a demolition permit has been applied for through the city.
Matt Majeed, principal with MCG Architecture, representing Mid-America Management, owners of shopping plaza, and Earth Fare, said that plans are to open the store relatively quickly, possibly as soon as this winter.
“We want to get into that space pretty soon,” he said, noting that the timeline is dependent upon the demolition permit being issued.
The grocer, one of the largest natural and organic food retailers in the country dubbed as a “healthy supermarket,” will occupy slightly more than 31,000 square feet of space in the southernmost portion of the plaza. A remaining approximately 6,000 square feet of the former Stein Mart space will remain for another tenant.
With no variances associated with the project, the city’s planning commission approved a site plan review of facade alternations last week. City Council added its approval Monday.
“We are all very excited to have a new tenant on the property,” commission member William M. Mazur said. It’s hoped that the new store will bring in other tenants to the plaza “that usually tag along with Earth Fare.”
More food-related stores or health stores is possible, Mr. Majeed acknowledged. An example is a store that sells smoothies. The store will bring increased pedestrian traffic to the center and “spruce it up,” he said. “Earth Fare is more of a destination place.”
Much internal work needs to be done to the space to convert it to a grocery store, Mr. Mazur said. As part of the project, there will be an indoor cafe, typical for Earth Fare, and outdoor seating.
A new, 54-foot-high masonry wall with brick veneer on the front sidewalk will conceal the tenant’s shopping carts. The city requested provisions be made to store the carts inside; however, this is not a part of Earth Fare’s operational model.
“Looking at the building from the parking lot, you won’t be able to discern there is an outside cart storage area,” Mr. Mazur said.
The store will serve as one of the primary, if not the primary, anchors for the Solon Square Shopping Center. Stein Mart, which entered the plaza in 2007, closed in May.
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