News
Wal-Mart, Lowes nearing Grand Openings
By Paul Crossman
GREENPORT—Though there was controversy at the initial construction of Greenport Commons, much of it seems to have faded out as the new Wal-Mart and Lowes stores being built in the town’s newest plaza are nearing completion.
Controversy was mainly centered around the aesthetic value of the new development and the traffic and congestion it might cause the town, but according to Construction Executive Bruce Haeussler of Widewaters, the firm working on the plaza has done everything in their power to alleviate these concerns, including setting the buildings much farther back from the road than necessary, and taking pains to make the landscape as attractive as possible.
“As Wal-Mart and Lowes prepare for their grand opening, the entire project is going well,” said Haeussler. “We’re creating these businesses and job opportunities while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the land. I’m very happy with it.”
Both the Wal-Mart and Lowes opening dates were pushed back slightly, but only by a matter of weeks, and Haeussler says that the construction is still going according to plan. As of Friday, Wal-Mart is now scheduled to open on Sept. 16, and Lowes sometime in mid to late October.
There was also concern for a while that due to the troubling economic times, there might be trouble getting stores besides Wal-Mart and Lowes to join the plaza, things picked up quickly after the new Applebees had such startling success rates.
In early June, Widewaters had a few stores which had signed leases for space inside the plaza, as well as several others who were in various stages of negotiation. The two definite stores at the time were Supercuts, a large unisex salon, and local business Carter Opticians. Stores still in negotiation were Olympia Sports, Game Stop, Cotton Market, and Famous Footwear.
According to Tracy Lauer, a representative from Widewaters, three of these businesses have now finalized leases in the new plaza, Supercuts, Game Stop, and Carter Opticians. Olympia Sports and Famous Footwear are still in the process of negotiation.
Several new businesses are also now pursuing negotiation with the company, and according to Lauer and the Widewaters website, they include Superior Wines, Sleepy’s, a nationwide mattress chain, and a proposed Chinese restaurant.
Not all of these are set in stone, but things are looking up for the project as more and more stores decide to call the plaza their home.
Though Lauer is pleased with the way things are shaping up, she still hopes to see more stores show interest as the plaza construction continues.
“We’re happy with the activity we’re seeing, but we’d still like to see more leases signed.”
Work has also recently begun on a 4,000 square foot Verizon building, which the construction company hopes will be finished by the end of the year.
“A year ago we had people coming in constantly and complaining about the entire project,” said Haeussler at a previous meeting, “but now after they see what’s been done, we actually have a few people coming in to compliment us.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
Controversy was mainly centered around the aesthetic value of the new development and the traffic and congestion it might cause the town, but according to Construction Executive Bruce Haeussler of Widewaters, the firm working on the plaza has done everything in their power to alleviate these concerns, including setting the buildings much farther back from the road than necessary, and taking pains to make the landscape as attractive as possible.
“As Wal-Mart and Lowes prepare for their grand opening, the entire project is going well,” said Haeussler. “We’re creating these businesses and job opportunities while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the land. I’m very happy with it.”
Both the Wal-Mart and Lowes opening dates were pushed back slightly, but only by a matter of weeks, and Haeussler says that the construction is still going according to plan. As of Friday, Wal-Mart is now scheduled to open on Sept. 16, and Lowes sometime in mid to late October.
There was also concern for a while that due to the troubling economic times, there might be trouble getting stores besides Wal-Mart and Lowes to join the plaza, things picked up quickly after the new Applebees had such startling success rates.
In early June, Widewaters had a few stores which had signed leases for space inside the plaza, as well as several others who were in various stages of negotiation. The two definite stores at the time were Supercuts, a large unisex salon, and local business Carter Opticians. Stores still in negotiation were Olympia Sports, Game Stop, Cotton Market, and Famous Footwear.
According to Tracy Lauer, a representative from Widewaters, three of these businesses have now finalized leases in the new plaza, Supercuts, Game Stop, and Carter Opticians. Olympia Sports and Famous Footwear are still in the process of negotiation.
Several new businesses are also now pursuing negotiation with the company, and according to Lauer and the Widewaters website, they include Superior Wines, Sleepy’s, a nationwide mattress chain, and a proposed Chinese restaurant.
Not all of these are set in stone, but things are looking up for the project as more and more stores decide to call the plaza their home.
Though Lauer is pleased with the way things are shaping up, she still hopes to see more stores show interest as the plaza construction continues.
“We’re happy with the activity we’re seeing, but we’d still like to see more leases signed.”
Work has also recently begun on a 4,000 square foot Verizon building, which the construction company hopes will be finished by the end of the year.
“A year ago we had people coming in constantly and complaining about the entire project,” said Haeussler at a previous meeting, “but now after they see what’s been done, we actually have a few people coming in to compliment us.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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