20 replies to this topic

[okinawatyphoon]

Retail heats up at Oyster Point center

NEWPORT NEWS — City Center at Oyster Point is raising its profile in the competition for the area’s retail dollars.

Several national retailers have signed leases to open in the 700-acre mixed-use development adjacent to Interstate 64 in northern Newport News.

Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Talbots/Talbots Petites and Chico’s will come to City Center in spring 2006. They will join several other local merchants in the development, said officials with NAI Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate Services.

NAI Harvey Lindsay, based in Norfolk, is one of the partners developing the $350 million project designed to create an urban like setting in a suburban environment. The other partners are Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and the city of Newport News.........

http://home.hamptonr...84838&ran=58185

[vdogg]

NN planners discuss rezoning for new Wal-Mart

BY FRED CARROLL
247-4756

June 1, 2005, 5:39 PM EDT

NEWPORT NEWS -- The Newport News Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a rezoning request today that would allow Wal-Mart to open a store on Hampton Roads Center Parkway.

The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council, which ultimately will decide whether to rezone the property. The council is scheduled to vote during a June 28 meeting.

City planners said the commission might delay making its recommendation until a later meeting.....Full Story

[vdogg]

Retail experts rate coliseum mall plan

Quote

Local retail experts agree that Hampton might have a winner, if it can successfully compete with anchor retailers at Patrick Henry Mall. Two of the leading experts on the retail industry from local real estate firms sound optimistic about Coliseum Mall’s future retail potential.

“You have three big draws at Hampton,” said Gerald Divaris, president of Divaris Real Estate Inc., referring to super stores Hecht’s and J.C. Penney as well as the Target that’s supposed to relocate there as part of the city’s plan. “The question is whether they can compete with the Jefferson Avenue corridor.”

Quote

Retailers are moving up to Newport News,” Rouzie said. “But there are a lot of people in Hampton that need to be served.”

“I give it to the city for being proactive,” Rouzie said. “They ought to be applauded for thinking out of the box. This isn’t like creating a town center out of a wooded area like the town center of Virginia Beach.”

A wooded area that also happens to be the center of our population and business district. Honestly they couldn't have chosen a better location. That was kinda a cheap shot on Mr. Rouzie's part.

[vdogg]

under construction

[babiko]

Not that it is ground-breaking retail, but Panera Bread is opening there second NN location at CNU Village, the mixed-use development at Christopher Newport.  Ben and Jerrys is also going there as well as Bottoms Up pizza.  Several establishments have already opened including my brother's place, Schonners Grill.

[okinawatyphoon]

babiko, on Apr 16 2006, 01:11 PM, said:

Not that it is ground-breaking retail, but Panera Bread is opening there second NN location at CNU Village, the mixed-use development at Christopher Newport.  Ben and Jerrys is also going there as well as Bottoms Up pizza.  Several establishments have already opened including my brother's place, Schonners Grill.

Panera Bread!? that's awesome! I have only been to one in Michigan, but i liken it to a Starbucks that serves delicious soup and sandwiches. MacArthur Center needs a Panera.

[mercuex]

It'll be good to have a Panera in a more urban setting than Jefferson Commons, though it will be better once CNU is better connected to Port Warwick, which is the eventual plan.

[babiko]

Panera Bread, if I am not mistaken is part of the Starbucks company...If you look at their store at Jefferson Commons, they are connected to Starbucks, the store layout is similar, and the style of the menus and interior are also similar

[okinawatyphoon]

babiko, on Apr 16 2006, 11:23 PM, said:

Panera Bread, if I am not mistaken is part of the Starbucks company...If you look at their store at Jefferson Commons, they are connected to Starbucks, the store layout is similar, and the style of the menus and interior are also similar

Wow I didn't know that, but it sure makes sense. No wonder they seem similar to me!  
I believe that Panera also offers Wi-Fi at many of its locations, which is sure a plus.

[hoobo]

babiko, on Apr 16 2006, 06:23 AM, said:

Panera Bread, if I am not mistaken is part of the Starbucks company...If you look at their store at Jefferson Commons, they are connected to Starbucks, the store layout is similar, and the style of the menus and interior are also similar

As far as I can see, Panera Bread is its own individually traded company.  I don't even see evidence of a single investor having large stakes in both Panera and Starbucks.  There may be a business venture like Barnes & Noble with Starbucks coffee and Borders with Seattle's Best, which is owned by Starbucks.

[vdogg]

BJ's breaks ground in Hampton Power Plant

Quote

The city has spent more than $24 million helping develop the 107-acre Power Plant site that has faced criticism for not matching expectations but has generated momentum of late.

Nothing to get excited about but at least that project is showing signs of picking up steam. Hopefully when it's connected to the Peninsula Town Center via that pedestrian bridge it'll take things up a notch.

[babiko]

It is still disappointing considering the Power Plant was supposed to be strictly entertainment, food and higher end retail; not a BJs.  I guess it is better than Kmart

[rusthebuss]

babiko, on Apr 24 2006, 11:29 PM, said:

It is still disappointing considering the Power Plant was supposed to be strictly entertainment, food and higher end retail; not a BJs.  I guess it is better than Kmart

It could be worse! Another walmart could have graced that area.

[babiko]

There already is one down the street on Mercury Blvd

[urbanfan]

babiko, on Apr 24 2006, 10:29 PM, said:

It is still disappointing considering the Power Plant was supposed to be strictly entertainment, food and higher end retail; not a BJs.  I guess it is better than Kmart

Last I checked the project did just that, and is doing very well.  Do you come out to the night clubs there?  Eat at the great restaraunts there? Stroll the boardwalk after getting a nice cold ice cream cone from coldstone?  You can't get all of your information from newspapers or biast people.  Come check the place out.  There is no possible way that the whole are there could have been completely nothing but the power plant itself.  That whole area is huge.  The main power plant is just the area on the lake beside Bass Pro Shops ( A place that always is full) the rest is just retail infill. By the way, higher end retail was never an idea.  This was to be nothing more than an entertainment spot.  Which it has done very well.  Clubs are packed on the weekend as well are restaraunts.  However, my only gripe is that we didn't get a espnzone.  Now that would have put the cherry on top.

[mercuex]

You're right about Power Plant, but I see where Babiko is going. Many people expected a far cry from what it is today. The development, while moderately successful for what it does offer, is in no way in a similar league to the Power Plant of Baltimore. I don't blame Hampton necessarily for that- I'd probably say it's the Cordish Company's inability to do their job and attract the right kind of tenants. The truth is this: the Power Plant development, as it stands, is nowhere close to being the kind of entertainment nucleus that was touted before it was built. That says, I think Hampton has done a fine job with the cards they've been dealt, but I would be surprised if there weren't a few glum faces regarding the progress of the project.

I'd sooner put my money on something like Peninsula Town Center than Power Plant at this point.

[rusthebuss]

babiko, on Apr 25 2006, 12:09 AM, said:

There already is one down the street on Mercury Blvd

I know there is one there cause I stopped by it after work. Just stating that it could be worse.

[vdogg]

Quote

The Melting Pot of Newport News is under construction and scheduled to open in the Jefferson Green Shopping Center across from Patrick Henry Mall during the second quarter of 2006. The dinner-only fondue restaurant is locally owned and operated by Jason Harding and Andrew Holder.

Encompassing more than 4,800 square feet with seating for 180, the restaurant offers the four-course dining experience that is the trademark of The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc., a company that has more than 90 restaurants nationwide with 30 locations under development. Company headquarters are in Tampa, Fla.

[rusthebuss]

Sounds good! Man you have been busy this morning vdogg!

[metalman]

There is a Melting Pot in Virginia Beach, I believe, In Hilltop.  I have never been but I know people that go there and they say it is absolutly amazing!  But, make sure you pad your wallet with some green before you go.