Buzz hoping for Trader Joe’s but not disclosed
GLENMONT – Circulating rumors say a proposed grocery store for the Glenmont Shopping Plaza at Route 9W and Feura Bush Road will bring Trader Joe’s to Bethlehem. However, neither the grocery chain nor a representative from the shopping plaza’s owner Benderson Development, LLC have confirmed that Trader Joe’s will be moving in.
A submission by Benderson Director James Baglioli of an engineering site plan to the Town’s Development Planning Committee for initial review appears to be the rumor’s source. In that submission, Benderson seeks modifications to Glenmont Plaza, including converting 14, 755 square feet of existing retail space to an unnamed “grocery store user.” It also proposes removing 18, 291 square feet of existing retail space adjacent to Route 9 currently housing Dollar Store and Five Below stores and replacing those structures with 51 parking spaces. Baglioli did not identify the grocery store in the submission.
Some commercial resources report that the average Trader Joe store ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, which has given legs to the rumor.
However, in response to a written question from Spotlight, Trader Joe’s Public Relations Manager Nakia Rohde responded, “At this time, we do not have a location confirmed in Glenmont.” Glenmont is not listed on Trader Joe’s website section for stores “opening soon.”
Matthew Oates, Benderson’s Director of Engineering and who represented Benderson at the Town’s April 18 Development Planning Committee meeting, told Spotlight he is not authorized to disclose the tenant’s identity and had no comment. Even Rob Leslie, Bethlehem’s Director of Economic Development & Planning does not know the potential tenant’s identity. At the April 18 meeting, Leslie tried to find out from Oates if Trader Joe’s is the one. He told Oates “there are rumors going around that Trader Joe’s” is the tenant. Leslie said Oates responded he could not confirm that or disclose the tenant’s identity.
Benderson’s application, which was contained in the April 18 meeting’s packet, included a letter dated April 1 outlining the modification requests and site plan drawings. Neither document identified the tenant.
Leslie said the Town’s planning criteria has no requirement for disclosure of the tenant. As long as proposed use is known, he said the Town can conduct a thorough review without the tenant’s identity. “A grocery store is welcome in a shopping plaza,” he said. Leslie said if a tenant wanted, conceivably the Town could learn the tenant’s identity as late as when the store’s sign is hoisted. However, he teased there may be clues in future submissions provided by Benderson, such as building elevations that reveal signature architecture.
He also said the public may get other hints when Benderson takes the next step in the planning process and submits its formal site plan. At that time, Leslie expects Benderson to respond to issues raised by the Town during the April 18 development planning committee meeting.
