OPINION: Shopping to Improve for Perry Hall Residents
Two recently announced retail additions help to fill long-standing vacancies in two area shopping centers.
The former location of Superfresh at the corner of Ebenezer and Belair roads.
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Two recent announcements of retail options coming to our area are clearly good news for Perry Hall shoppers. Last week, it was announced that Giant Food has chosen to open a new grocery store at the site of the former Superfresh, within the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center. Just a couple of days later, department store chain Boscov's indicated that they will be returning to their former location at White Marsh Mall.
Collectively, these two announcements are a good indication that efforts to reach out to the business community have started to bear fruit. The willingness of these two significant retail operators to look to the Perry Hall area for business expansion is good news for everyone.
It's important to note that these are but the two most recent business additions coming to our area. At White Marsh Mall, a new Skechers shore store opened last month, and four new restaurants will arrive at the mall by year's end. Over its 30-year history, White Marsh Mall has seen a number of tenants come and go, but these newcomers demonstrate that this venue still draws customers.
The addition of Giant at Perry Hall Square was also not the first prospect to choose Perry Hall. Salvo Auto Parts is in the process of moving to this shopping center, while a yogurt shop has recently opened. While one of the oldest retail venues in Perry Hall, there are some signs that Kimco Realty, the owner of this shopping center, is genuinely trying to respond to local requests to revitalize this venue through an infusion of new vendors.
To be sure, there have been some that would have preferred to see another type of food store rather than Giant. I for one would simply remind those folks that, since we live in a free market economy, it is up to individual businesses to decide for themselves where they wish to expand their retail footprints. In any event, the addition of a Giant Food in Perry Hall proper will generate more than 200 good-paying jobs. As far am I'm concerned, especially given our present economic challenges, any jobs created are well worth it.
Now comes the important part for all of us. If we want these new businesses to succeed, we must make the positive choice to patronize them. Absent customers, these new stores will simply not be able to generate the cash flow needed to justify their existence. This is especially true for the small businesses among these newcomers, most notably the restaurants. I can guarantee to readers that I will certainly go by this new Giant to try the salad bar, and will happily go over to the mall to try out the new Buca di Beppo, a great Italian place I haven't been to since I worked in Washington, D.C.
Are you planning to support the new businesses? What types of stores is the community still lacking? Tell us in the comments.
Deborah Smith
10:25 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Glad to hear that the vacancy will be filled at the old Super Fresh but would have loved it even more if an upscale grocery store like Wegman's or Fresh Market (or a Trader Joe's) had moved in. And love the idea that Boscov's is coming to White Marsh.
Kris
11:59 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Won't somebody please think of the children?
Grace B.
12:54 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I'm not a fan of either store, so this news isn't too exciting for me. Although, any business is better than a vacant building. And, after a few incidents that I've had at the Mall over the past several months, I've been staying away from there also. For those of us who desire more upscale shopping, we'll just have to move to more upscale neighborhoods. Perry Hall is barely holding its own anymore.
Spring Heeled Jack
4:38 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Commerial space occupied is always better than empty and abandoned. Remember long ago when the old Towson Marketplace was near void of business'? Crime soared in that area. Now that it is revitalized, crime has seriously dropped.
Kudos to Giant! Jobs, great store, plenty of space to park, and local to many who wish to walk to the store.
James S
4:53 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I honestly wouldn't mind seeing a GameStop in the Perry Hall shopping center. I still remember the days of Video Game Exchange that occupied the shopping center way back before EB and GameStop were taking "trades." Also considering the amount of gift cards that GameStop sells and the amount of birthday parties the Perry Hall Lanes has on a weekend would be a good combination.
wilson
8:12 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
hooray for food-shopping center looks like desert
Angie KUREK
12:57 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Giant is my favorite grocery store. Glad to see that it is coming to Perry Hall and creating more jobs.
Angie KUREK
1:20 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Will there ever be a Kohl's in Perry Hall or White Marsh?
David Marks
10:15 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thank you, Tom. We also love that Ace Hardware and Brian Bunce Barber.
Kohl's was going to go to the Honeygo Boulevard/Belair Road site but pulled out due to the economy.
Jeanne
11:37 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I will check out the Giant in Perry Hall but will be loyal to the White Marsh Giant. I wish a differnt store was moving in then we already have around. Several people have good examples. Would love a Kohls there, but not meant to be :(
ANT
8:28 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I do not mind another store there , even thew we have a safeway , weise , giant , mars, and a New supper walmart , Good luck , they will probably go the same way metro food and supper fresh went . who is there marketing agent a high school kid ., .. The worst thing is the construction company clowns are operating jack hammers @ 6 30 am almost everyday 7days a week for 2weeks now , I should boycott them just for the inconsideration for the neighborhood. residents .
DT
9:01 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I am with ANT. I will NOT be supporting the Giant.
Gary Staab
10:01 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
ANT, where is the Super Walmart in Perry Hall?
We love the restaurants in Perry Hall but wish there were more choices. Red Robin, Macaroni Grill?