Bye-Bye Benny’s?
Some interesting news from the latest Forest Hill Flyer, unfortunately not available online so I can’t give you a link. Jerry Miller takes a look Around the District and the going ons around the Stratford Hills Shopping Center. As part of an effort to attract an anchor tenant some folks Flowerama and Benny’s may have to move. No word on who or even if an anchor has been found but we do know the lease for Benny’s has not been renewed. The lease expires at the end of the year and are looking for a new location. I hope Benny is successful in their search and can stay in the area.
Seriously!? Benny’s is the best barbeque in Richmond. I love the place. I work south of the James now after 18 years of living and working north of the river, and the biggest bonus to that new arrangement is that I can get to Benny’s easier. If have to build a new place for them community-style (like the way that the Amish build a new barn) then so be it. Benny’s please tell us what we need to do to rally around keeping you in Stratford Hills!
Lovely shortsightedness. The area is popular thanks to places like Benny’s. So now, for money I’m sure, a local place is being forced to move to attract a chain store. Great.
I could very well be wrong, but I thought the article indicate that the CVS might be interested in moving across the street.
J the article said that was the rumor at one point. Whether that rumor has become fact or closer to happening I can’t say.
The version discussed last year in some community asssociation meetings was that the owner (Wilton) wanted to upgrade. The deal would have been to buy-out or shift residents in the island, demolish it, and replace it with a new standalone CVS. Benny’s would move to the front corner on FH Avenue. Flowerama refused the offer, so the deal went to sleep.
Given the current state of the commercial real estate market, this is curious on many levels.
1.) With other properties having been foreclosed, why risk upsetting a stable tenant? (http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/10/12/local-developer-loses-three-colorado-properties/)
2.) As noted elsewhere on this blog, the Shoppes at Stratford Hills are in trouble with the bank, and have multiple parcels for let. And some are available to build on. And some folks (Mexico) have already ditched said location for the new digs.
3.) There are still other properties available – and empty – along Forest Hill Avenue – Planet Wings, Kinder Care.
4.) There is space available in the out parcels on Shelia Lane.
5.) The Ferguson Store is empty going the other way.
6.) Ditto for the 7 Hills Market.
7.) There will be construction for the improvements of the Forest Hill / Hathaway Road intersection when the city finally awards the design contract for the engineering currently being done.
If Bennie wants/is forced to make a deal, there are multiple folks whom I think would be willing to discuss empty commercial space with him.
And since the city faces a difficult budget this year, and probably the next as well, it has plenty of incentives to accommodate a move by an established restaurant. Not the least of which is the continued 6% tax on gross receipts.
I heard this rumor a month or two back, but never confirmed it. I would love to see a BBQ joint, especially Benny’s move into the old Westover Hills Mercedes Clinic. It could be converted to some pretty cool space kinda like Crossroads did, but on a larger scale. I would think Benny’s would benefit from quite a bit of walking traffic from Westover Hills.
Seven Hills market is closed but the store is not empty. A new restaurant is opening soon.
Oh man, a BBQ joint in the old Mercedes Clinic would be phenomenal.
Anything in the old Mercedes place would be great. Wonder if the Seiberts like BBQ?
You’ve also got a brand new building down the road where that Ballistic Bombers Sub ‘n’ Wings stand used to be.
Honestly, the last time I was there I was extremely disappointed in the BBQ. NO FLAVOR AT ALL. The sides were great. I know a lot of people like it, but it’s not my thing. I too hope they find a spot. I hate folks going out of business.