By JACKIE MAJERUS
Press Staff
BRISTOL – Whether the Bristol Discount Food Outlet remains on the 17-acre mall property in the future will be the decision of the developer, several city development officials said.
"We can't tie anybody's hands," said John Leone, a board member of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. and the president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
"Ultimately, the buyer of the property will have to determine what makes sense," said Jonathan Rosenthal, the city's economic development director.
The city is in the process of having the mall demolished. There are no immediate plans to raze the DFO building next to the mall – and no specific plans for the mall property as a whole – but the store is on a month-to-month lease with the city and faces an uncertain future.
Shoppers have signed petitions asking the city to let DFO continue to operate. Store manager Bob Veilleux said there are more than 5,000 signatures – something that Mayor Art Ward said didn't surprise him.
"We recognize the market," said Ward, who said he would like DFO to stay in the area. "We recognize the need."
But Ward said the developer's perspective will be the determining factor as to whether DFO can remain in place on the mall property.
In a "very amiable" meeting with DFO and its parent company Bozzuto's this week, Ward said the city and the grocery store found common ground.
"We came to an understanding," said Ward. "We've vowed to give them 90 days notice."
Ward said DFO will let customers know that whether the store remains is in the hands of an as-yet-unknown developer.
Leone said that the city-owned mall property, which includes the freestanding DFO, must be viewed as a whole, not in pieces. He said the entire parcel must be a planned development, with the good of the community in mind.
"We need to be careful that we don't put ourselves into a situation that we were in a year and half ago with Ocean State," said Leone.
Ocean State Job Lot, a longtime anchor store in the mall, was the last of the tenants to leave after the city issued eviction notices. The Rhode Island-based closeout retailer held on through several court battles, arguing that the store's lease allowed it to stay. When the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled for the city last year, the store packed up and left.
DFO store manager Bob Veilleux said his store has a month-to-month lease. He said Bozzuto's, the Cheshire-based IGA grocery store chain that owns DFO, would like to stay, but understands that it can't fight the same court battle that Ocean State did.
DFO can remain in place as long as there's not a developer in the picture, said Frank Johnson, chairman of the BDDC, and Leone.
"You can't set yourself up for a delay in this project," said Leone. "That would be terrible."
While Ward said he would be "more than willing" to help Bozzuto's find an alternative space, he said the store owners aren't likely to get the $5 per square foot deal they have now.
"It would be a lot more," said Ward. He estimated that the rent would probably more than double.
Ward, Rosenthal and Johnson said the city could use a small grocery store downtown.
"We definitely understand the need for a store to service the community in that section of town," said Ward.
"The shoppers' concerns certainly are valid, as are the store's concerns," said Johnson.
The mayor said DFO meets the need for a "pedestrian-friendly" store.
"You do see a lot of people that walk to that store," said Johnson.
"It's clearly something that serves downtown," said Rosenthal. "It's desirable to have a grocery store downtown. The most important thing is there is something convenient to walk to."
Johnson said a medium-sized grocery store, like an average Bozzuto's IGA, would be a nice fit with the project."Whether it's that store in that location is an open question," said Johnson.
Leone wasn't convinced about the need for DFO or a grocery store on the site. He said there are about five grocery stores not far away on Farmington Avenue.
As for how people who rely on DFO's reduced prices would be able to cope financially if the store closed, Leone said, "That's not my problem."
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Press Staff
BRISTOL – Whether the Bristol Discount Food Outlet remains on the 17-acre mall property in the future will be the decision of the developer, several city development officials said.
"We can't tie anybody's hands," said John Leone, a board member of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. and the president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
"Ultimately, the buyer of the property will have to determine what makes sense," said Jonathan Rosenthal, the city's economic development director.
The city is in the process of having the mall demolished. There are no immediate plans to raze the DFO building next to the mall – and no specific plans for the mall property as a whole – but the store is on a month-to-month lease with the city and faces an uncertain future.
Shoppers have signed petitions asking the city to let DFO continue to operate. Store manager Bob Veilleux said there are more than 5,000 signatures – something that Mayor Art Ward said didn't surprise him.
"We recognize the market," said Ward, who said he would like DFO to stay in the area. "We recognize the need."
But Ward said the developer's perspective will be the determining factor as to whether DFO can remain in place on the mall property.
In a "very amiable" meeting with DFO and its parent company Bozzuto's this week, Ward said the city and the grocery store found common ground.
"We came to an understanding," said Ward. "We've vowed to give them 90 days notice."
Ward said DFO will let customers know that whether the store remains is in the hands of an as-yet-unknown developer.
Leone said that the city-owned mall property, which includes the freestanding DFO, must be viewed as a whole, not in pieces. He said the entire parcel must be a planned development, with the good of the community in mind.
"We need to be careful that we don't put ourselves into a situation that we were in a year and half ago with Ocean State," said Leone.
Ocean State Job Lot, a longtime anchor store in the mall, was the last of the tenants to leave after the city issued eviction notices. The Rhode Island-based closeout retailer held on through several court battles, arguing that the store's lease allowed it to stay. When the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled for the city last year, the store packed up and left.
DFO store manager Bob Veilleux said his store has a month-to-month lease. He said Bozzuto's, the Cheshire-based IGA grocery store chain that owns DFO, would like to stay, but understands that it can't fight the same court battle that Ocean State did.
DFO can remain in place as long as there's not a developer in the picture, said Frank Johnson, chairman of the BDDC, and Leone.
"You can't set yourself up for a delay in this project," said Leone. "That would be terrible."
While Ward said he would be "more than willing" to help Bozzuto's find an alternative space, he said the store owners aren't likely to get the $5 per square foot deal they have now.
"It would be a lot more," said Ward. He estimated that the rent would probably more than double.
Ward, Rosenthal and Johnson said the city could use a small grocery store downtown.
"We definitely understand the need for a store to service the community in that section of town," said Ward.
"The shoppers' concerns certainly are valid, as are the store's concerns," said Johnson.
The mayor said DFO meets the need for a "pedestrian-friendly" store.
"You do see a lot of people that walk to that store," said Johnson.
"It's clearly something that serves downtown," said Rosenthal. "It's desirable to have a grocery store downtown. The most important thing is there is something convenient to walk to."
Johnson said a medium-sized grocery store, like an average Bozzuto's IGA, would be a nice fit with the project."Whether it's that store in that location is an open question," said Johnson.
Leone wasn't convinced about the need for DFO or a grocery store on the site. He said there are about five grocery stores not far away on Farmington Avenue.
As for how people who rely on DFO's reduced prices would be able to cope financially if the store closed, Leone said, "That's not my problem."
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
18 comments:
I never shop there, couldn't care less about the place (except for human compassion). But this sounds like more legal BS for a bureaucratic pipe/wet dream that is this project/plan for the downtown.
"...Leone wasn't convinced about the need for DFO or a grocery store on the site. He said there are about five grocery stores not far away on Farmington Avenue.
As for how people who rely on DFO's reduced prices would be able to cope financially if the store closed, Leone said, "That's not my problem."..."
these comments by mr. leone are sickening. i know he's leaving the chamber of commerce later this year, but somebody ought to show this clown the door today.
mr. leone might have done good things for bristol in the past, but these comments smack of arrogance.
how are we supposed to have a vibrant downtown without people walking around ????
mr leone, you have dropped a few notches in my eyes.
-billy from bristol
I agree with billy's comment that Leone's comment was sickening~I hope the rug isn't pulled out from under you Mr. Leone with your Arrogance and I'm better than you Attitude~you Never know you may have to walk in these people's shoes some day, I'm sure the majority of these people never imagined such difficult times.
It is a Blessing having DFO so close to walk to and to purchase
good food at a cheaper price,just because it's not as Fancy Schmancy as the one's you refer to on Farmington Ave.~
John Leone walks around like he is king tut. Where is his compasion for the people who frequent the store. To say who cares is a sign of ignorance, you have made you good money in this town, but no one needa someone like you. Your aarrahence is second to none with Ms. Zoppo, maybe she is wanting to get your job when you leave
John Leone is quite capable of defending himself and his statement. However, all should remember that the reasons why food prices are generally lower are because DFO pays a less (far less) than going rate in square footage costs.
To be candid, when this property is developed, the developer will require 3-4 times in square footage costs. If DFO can afford to remain somewhere, you can be sure that the lower prices today will be a thing of the past.
All grocery stores work on the same margin (about 1-3%) and there is very little room for error, if they wish to remain in business. If DHO wants to survive, they will have to increase their prices. It's a matter of economics and quite simple to understand - stay in business when you make money and eventually get out when you don't.
I would venture to say that DFO will not be around too much longer.
And what did then Deputy Mayor Ward think would happen to DFO when he supported the original fiasco.
Ward is consistent in his wavering.
Does he even have a clue?
it seems to me that Mayor Ward could also care less about the DFO store. Since the election I have found out Mayor Ward is not at all like he should be. Ask the many people on the DTC, if he likes you you got a shot. Mayra will be set in her job forever. Along with many other kiss a----.
Didn't ward put Leone on the BDDC?
And Nicastro put up Johnson?
These cheap bozos at DFO ought to buy the old IGA on Divinity Street and move there store there. Problem solved.
I don't see why there shouldn't be a grocery store downtown. And unlike all the marketing "experts" I can see that this type of store is the only one there is a market for.
moving the DFO to divinity street? where there is lots of potential walk in business to be made?
Stop making sense
I'm gonna bring that up tuesday night and watch eyes glaze over
The only way a discount food store can stay downton is with some time of assistance, government or otherwise.
You want discount, then the owner/operator cost must be low.
Is the city willing to subsidize the effort?
Wow, some classless comments from the head of our chamber..
Love the Divinity Street idea! The other person who wrote about the square footage hit the nail on the head. DFO is so cheap because they pay so little for square footage. I personally would like to see them leave. We have enough grocery stores not to mention the fact the place is a dump. It also does not pick up its grocery carts which are all over. When you call to ask them to pick them up, they say they do it every week. yeah, right! They NEVER do it! I say good riddance!
Does a move to Divinity street eliminate that a possibility for the New School?
DFO should move to the Chic Miller site. It would probably pick up some customers from people on the hill needing to pick up a few things on the way home as well.
Go get em John.
If we can't drive them out we can starve them out.
Looks like Ward is letting others do the heavy lifting on this issue.
Does he ever have ANY ideas to implement?
Will he coast for the full two years?
Post a Comment