Progress continues at a brisk pace along Richmond Highway. It only took about six months after the sale of the old Krispy Kreme doughnut factory building for new owners Maisel-Hollins Development to open their new retail center, called Krispy Korner.
Their first tenant, Sprint, opened on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving. According to Nazli Nezhadour, retail communications consultant, it is one of the largest Sprint retail stores in the area. Their address is 6328 Richmond Highway, Suite D.
Harvey Maisel, owner of Maisel-Hollins Development, said that they have also signed agreements with Quizno’s, Sylvan Learning Center and a national dry cleaner chain. There is space for two additional merchants, and Maisel said that he is negotiating with some other companies. He expects that all businesses will be open by mid-February, 2005.
Maisel is encouraged by the recent news that carbohydrates are now good for you, as this will increase business at the adjacent Krispy Kreme Doughnut.
“Eight thousand people a week go into Krispy Kreme. There will be a nice synergy with them, ourselves and Applebee’s, making this a successful little center,” Maisel said.
Down the road, demolition crews have been busily working to clear the rubble that was once Ames Department Store and the Hybla Valley Roy Rogers. They are being cleared to make way for a new Wachovia Bank in the front of Mount Vernon Plaza, and a PetSmart, Michaels and Bed, Bath & Beyond where the Ames was once located.
The owner, Federal Realty Investment Trust, is still looking for other tenants. Stephanie Landrum, projects coordinator for Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC), said that she understands that they are still planning to start construction by the end of the year. That would keep them consistent with their projected opening date of October, 2005.