There are at least 10 spaces where future retail and restaurants could open in Montville.
Montville Commons Area
For lease signs are visible on Route 32 near its intersection with Podurgiel Lane.
Northside Development said that they are “currently seeking to develop a free-standing pad site for a national retail tenant on this commercial parcel. To date, we have received preliminary Army Corps of Engineers construction approval, including Town of Montville site plan approval with two-lane drive-thru.”
Drawings for the site show a proposed 4,000-square-foot fast-food restaurant. However, the website states that the tenant would be a “potential drugstore or small box national retail.”
According to Capital Markets National Retail Investment Group, two other available “approved pad sites” are located at 2020 Norwich-New London Turnpike.
The first is a proposed 3,000-square-foot building next to the Stop and Shop gas station while the latter is a proposed 5,200-square-foot building behind Chili’s.
Route 32
Right across from Montville Commons is another available 1.63-acre parcel at 1951 Norwich New London Turnpike, which has the possibility to be connected to a 14-acre property for commercial development.
Further south on Route 32, a vacant 5,000-square-foot retail building awaits tenants in front of Hyatt Place and there is an empty lot in front of that building.
A proposal by Samuels and Associates for a small shopping center at 2268 Norwich New London Turnpike (next to Shell) would include a 14,700-square-foot Rite Aid with drive-thru and two restaurant or retail spaces of approximately 3,000-square feet. One of those spaces would feature a drive-thru.
At 641 Route 32 (north of Dunkin' Donuts and Tri-Town Plaza), a 2.50-acre site is available for commercial development.
South Montville
A 15,000-square-foot retail center was approved for 309 Route 163 (near the I-395 Route 163 interchange).
However, one of the largest parcels is a 138-acre site between Old Colchester Road and the Montville Connector.
The property is in a C2 zone which allows “retail, office, hotel, conference center, theme park, indoor recreation facilities.”
Feedback
On my Facebook page, several friends gave their suggestions for what they would like to see open in Montville.
Kate McCormack Gallaher wants a Moe’s while Amy McKinney Ford is hoping for a Red Robin.
Barbara Terpe wishes a Cheesecake Factory would open while Philip Breton would like to see a Hooters get built.
On the Montville Patch Facebook page, the most popular desired businesses are a Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Sonic, Red Lobster, and Cracker Barrel.
Michelle Dombrowski Westkamper advocated a Chic-fil-A and a Monkey Joe’s (an inside inflatable jump house for kids).
A dollar store, Burger King, KFC, T.G.I. Friday’s, drive-in movies, and Dave and Busters are all businesses Jill Tourgee would like to see open in town.
Patricia Traphagen recommends that a Chipotle, Bertucci’s, Joe Garlic’s, Price Chopper, and Target open in town while Sue Longton wants K-Mart to get built.
“How about a feed and grain store like Tractor Supply or a pet store like Petsmart/Petco?,” asked Deborah Andrews Graffeo.
Independent restaurants and specialty shops are recommended by Lizz Fritz Adams while Cyndi Kozaczensky would like to an authentic BBQ restaurant to open.
What retail stores or restaurants would you like to see move into town? What site would you like to see get developed first?
