Developers of 'Shoppes' are ready to proceed

[DCMetroRaleigh]

Developers Michael Kelley and Stephen Austin are ready to develop their $5 million Shoppes on Hanes Mall Boulevard at the corner of Jonestown Road and Hanes Mall Boulevard.

Kelley Austin Properties LLC bought the property last week from Jonestown Baptist Church, which is on the site, along with a cemetery.

The "lifestyle center," which will consist of two buildings facing Jonestown Road, will have retail and office space.

Kelley said yesterday that the center's anchors will be the first Starbuck's in Winston-Salem with a drive-through and a new prototype Arby's restaurant.

The Starbucks will go in a 5,000-square-foot building. The two-story, 30-foot building will have space for an additional retailer on the bottom and office space above it. It will feature Tuscan architecture that includes copper, brick arches and wrought iron around the windows.

Starbucks could not be reached for comment, but the company has expanded its number of drive-throughs in recent years in response to consumers wanting more convenience.

"About 20 percent of its stores that are being proposed for future growth are drive-throughs," Kelley said. "It's sort of a new direction for them to grow their stores."

The Arby's, which Kelley describes as an "upscale dining experience," will take up the entire second building, which will be about 3,000 square feet.

The idea for the center began about eight years ago, when Kelley noticed Starbucks drive-through coffee shops popping up in large metropolitan cities during hockey trips with his son, Christopher.

"The question of the day was how could we convince Starbucks to come to Winston-Salem and to do a drive-through restaurant," Kelley said.

It took him until the summer of 2005 to find what he considered to be the ultimate site in Winston-Salem for a drive-through.

According to a traffic consultant hired by Kelley Austin, about 40,000 cars come through the intersection of Jonestown Road and Hanes Mall Boulevard daily.

Kelley Austin worked with Meridian Realty in Winston-Salem as its broker to buy the Jonestown Baptist Church site after learning that the property was listed for sale with Remax Realty Consultants in Winston-Salem last summer.

"To me this piece of property was almost like a diamond in the rough," Kelley said.

Kelley Austin recently developed a similar "lifestyle center" concept in Greensboro where a Starbucks with a drive-through recently opened.

Although the church cemetery was included in the sale, it will remain on the property with a privacy fence between it and the center, and it will be accessible to church members, Kelley said. "We respect the family members," he said.

Jonestown Baptist Church has moved to 704 Bank St., west of Old Salem.

The developer will also widen Hanes Mall Boulevard from Jonestown Road up to about Char-Lou Lane, which connects with Kester Mill Road.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has already begun work to widen a nearly milelong section of Hanes Mall Boulevard from Kester Mill Road to Hanes Point Shopping Center.

Demolition of the church is expected to begin in about two weeks after removal of asbestos from the building and other Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Construction is expected to begin on the Arby's and Starbucks in mid-May, and the retailers should open in early November.

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[ncbrian]

So that's it? An Arbys and a Starbucks?

Can not say we are lacking for either in the Winston area. Given the fuss about this development I would have thought it would have been more substantial in scope but it turns out to be nothing more than a glorified strip mall.

Mind you that Tuscan archictecture design is probably in keeping with the whole road as it is just one big jumble of strip malls, fast food outlets and gas stations. There is nothing there to give the road any sense of identity but just exists to give people a place to get something and then get out of there.

[DigitalSky]

How did upscale and Arby's manage to get in the same phrase?

[twincity]

^i was just about to say the same thing. I expected more from this development.

[eddard]

Oh joy........another Starbucks. Just what we needed!

[Metropolitan's]

I live In the Jonestown Area So this Is great for Western Winston-Salem, But how will the starbucks on Hanes Mall fair? they also plan to open one in the mall.

[SouthJersey7]

This whole thing just seems kinda disingenuous...

The Arby's, which Kelley describes as an "upscale dining experience," will take up the entire second building, which will be about 3,000 square feet.

I don't get it. Are they building a regular, average crappy sprawling Arby's but just didn't want to phrase it that way? I mean when does something like an Arby's not take up it's whole building? And, upscale? I will just say here, I have heard once before of a Chick fil A which was a seated restaurant with waiters. I don't know if that's what they have planned here or not. I remain skeptical however.

[Damien]

This whole thing just seems kinda disingenuous...

I don't get it. Are they building a regular, average crappy sprawling Arby's but just didn't want to phrase it that way? I mean when does something like an Arby's not take up it's whole building? And, upscale? I will just say here, I have heard once before of a Chick fil A which was a seated restaurant with waiters. I don't know if that's what they have planned here or not. I remain skeptical however.

Mcdonalds has tried this concept with their McCafes. While they do look a little better than an average Mcdonalds it is pretty much the same thing, a fast food joint with a drive through and parking lot slapped in the middle of a strip mall.

[suburban george3]

Although the church cemetery was included in the sale, it will remain on the property with a privacy fence between it and the center, and it will be accessible to church members, Kelley said. "We respect the family members," he said.

Being a family member of dearly departed in the cemetery, I am "steamed" (pardon the pun) that the best they can do for this site is a Starbucks with a drive thru and an Arby's!?!?!? The church should have demanded the cemetery moved! I am NOT happy with the idea of having to go to Arby's to visit the graves of my aunt and uncle.

[twincity]

wow, im sorry to hear that. i can imagine how hard it would be to visit a loved one's grave that sits behind a shopping center. after reading this latest announcement, this development seems heartless and not needed. progress can be a b**** sometimes.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

The word "Shoppes" implies a development with an array of shopping choices, not a mere "high class' Arby's and Starbucks. Where is the shopping?