$1.5M shopping center could mean up to 50 new jobs

Coffee shop, stores, restaurant part of Washington Twp. plans.

Construction on a new $1.5 million strip shopping center in Washington Twp. could begin within the next couple of months, according to township officials.

The 9,500 square-foot restaurant and retail center will be located at 8200 Yanks Court. Visible along Yankee Street, the development will stand alongside several existing businesses.

Some of them are anticipating the increased activity in the area. The employees inside Yankee Car Wash said Thursday that revenue is down and they’re eager to jump on more activity.

“I could definitely use more customers,” said manager Timothy Moore. “It’ll be real good for us.”

According to architect John Roll of Roll and Associates, the redevelopment could eventually bring about 50 jobs.

Although specific tenants haven’t been announced, a drive-through coffee shop is planned for the site. Two 1,200 square foot retailer stores will accompany a 5,000 square foot restaurant.

“Aesthetically, it will be a brick building with limestone trim,” said Ryan Lee, zoning manager for Washington Twp. “Ultimately, it pulls (from) a lot of design and architecture already within the community.”

Washington Twp. is already home to several strip shopping centers. Vacancy rates weren’t immediately available on Thursday, but Lee said most of them are doing “fairly well.” One of the larger vacancies is within the Yankee Station shopping center. It holds the former Bally Total Fitness.

“That’s just a matter of utilizing the old fitness center space,” Lee said.

The new development will be along a busy stretch of Yankee. At this point, officials aren’t concerned about an increase in traffic.

“This property has been zoned for business for quite some time,” Lee said. “It’s my understanding through the review of this specific project, there aren’t any concerns with traffic impacts coming from the development.”

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