Date: Fri 12-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

business-Sand-Hill-Plaza

Full Text:

Sand Hill Plaza Tries To Overcome Its Problems

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

McNally's Steak & Ale House and Cuts Plus quietly closed their doors for good

last week, adding to the long list of failed businesses that have packed up

and moved out of the Sand Hill Plaza.

They were the latest casualties of the plaza's often-desolate mini-mall,

situated at the north end of the shopping complex nearly two football fields

away from Super Stop & Shop, the plaza's marquee store.

Since Sand Hill Plaza opened in 1990, the mini-mall section has claimed

numerous stores and restaurants. One Newtown resident even termed the area

"the dead zone." The few people who do venture into the dimly-lit mall find

their voices echoing off the walls as if it were a lost canyon.

"It's a difficult retail space. A lot of tenants like to be close to the

traffic and Super Stop & Shop. Those closest to the supermarket have done

well," acknowledged Bob Dombi of the Hutensky Group of Hartford, the

management group that oversees the plaza.

Last November, Duchess moved out of the "dead zone" as did Superstar Sport a

few months earlier. Both businesses fronted Route 25, but were clearly out of

the loop for customers. Neither space has been filled since their departure,

despite marketing efforts by the Hutensky Group.

McNally's was the fourth restaurant to pack up from its location, following in

the footsteps of failed eateries like K.C. Grille, Town & Country Pizza and

The Ocean Sea Grill.

Since the Sand Hill Plaza opened in 1990, nearly two dozen businesses have

either moved out in search of greener pastures or gone out of business

altogether.

Several of those who have closed did so soon after the local owners from Sand

Hill Limited Partnership sold the plaza in December 1995 to D.D. Newtown

Partners. The rent was reportedly raised soon after the plaza was sold,

leaving businesses like Cuts Plus with little choice but to get out.

Lucy Grisko of Cuts Plus said the high rent plus the lack of exposure in the

mini-mall made it impossible to stay above water.

"People would call to make an appointment and ask where we were. We'd tell

them we're in the mall at Sand Hill Plaza. They'd say, `Mall? What mall?'" she

explained. "People thought the only stores in the plaza were the ones on the

outside."

Those stores on the outside, like Eye Care Plus, Tunes and Mail Boxes, Etc

have managed to stay in business, as have those closest to Super Stop & Shop,

TJ Maxx and Toy Works, but the mini-mall lacks sufficient, adjacent parking,

killing business, according to Mr Dombi.

The owners of McNally's were unavailable for comment, but they reportedly

spent thousands of dollars renovating the Irish-themed restaurant. The

customers never came, however. The same was true for the now-departed Country

Jewelers and Picaso's Italian Restaurant.

"It's a shame for Sand Hill Plaza. It's going to end up being a ghost town,"

said one former plaza merchant.

Main Moon, the Chinese restaurant, also lacks visibility, but remains in

business despite being tucked away in the mall.

For now, the landlord has opted to continue seeking the same lease price as

before, but may eventually be forced to drop prices, according to Mr Dombi.

Plans For Improvements

There is a plan in the works, however. The owners are hoping to receive

approval from the town's Planning & Zoning Commission to build a free standing

video rental outlet in the parking lot. A new tenant would want to be

physically closer to the supermarket than the mini-mall allows, thus resulting

in the request for a free standing building in the parking lot, Mr Dombi said.

Hutensky hopes a new store will help increase the flow of customers into the

plaza.

There is also the possibility of bringing in a large chain store to the

mini-mall area in the hopes of increasing customer traffic. According to Mr

Dombi, that was the original plan when the plaza was first built. Back then,

developers Tom Maguire, Brian Corson and Peter Concillio were hoping to bring

in a Bradlees in addition to Super Stop & Shop. The Bradlees was supposed to

go where the supermarket is now located and the supermarket was supposed to go

where TJ Maxx and the mini-mall are now located. That plan fell through.

Mr Dombi believes the mini-mall may be better suited for professional offices.

ERA Advanced Real Estate is currently located there.

Despite the problems in the mini-mall, Mr Dombi believes the Sand Hill Plaza

is still a great place to shop.

"It's a good, solid center. It's got pretty much everything that a shopper

would want," he said.