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..or perhaps even longer if it even happens at all. Wouldn't be the first time in the four-state that a project would take many MANY years to become a reality. The shopping center with Martins at the intersection of Route 7 and I-81 in the Winchester area way back in 1979 it was announced in the press at the time that this was supposed to be the site of "Winchester Mall". Back then it was said that the 1-81 and Route 7 area will be the place to shop in the future. Still remember the big sign that was placed on the site facing of course I-81 in early 1980 "THE WINCHESTER MALL..OVER 100 STORES AND RESTAURANTS COMING SOON !!'. Only two stores ended up opening up at Winchester Mall in late 1981..Safeway and a Drug Fair/Fashion Fair. Unfortunately those two stores would be gone by the mid 1980s and until Tractor Supply would open in the mid 90s the land was an ugly eyesore. In the early 90s that sign promising all of those stores was still up plus that ugly sign on route 7 with the words "Welcome to WINCHESTER MALL" . Long story short it took 35 years from the time the project was first announced to when that area would finally be almost developed with stores, restaurants and a hotel and under a new name. Winchester Gateway I think that is what that shopping center is called today. Still not the 100 stores and other things that was promised at first but its a lot better now than when it was back in the late 80s with just two empty buildings with busted windows and a parking lot full of beer bottles.
I'm starting to think that Martinsburg's new Weis Plaza is going to take 35 years. The original plans called for actual construction by this point. The project keeps getting delayed.
It looks like the pad next to Chili's has been divided. They must not have been able to find a larger restaurant tenant.
It's a shame they are having trouble finding another large restaurant chain. I feel the project needs to one more large chain other than Chili's. There's nothing wrong with Chilis, but variety is the spice of life for these projects. I am glad some new-to-the-market chains like Wing Stop have leased.
It's a shame they are having trouble finding another large restaurant chain. I feel the project needs to one more large chain other than Chili's. There's nothing wrong with Chilis, but variety is the spice of life for these projects. I am glad some new-to-the-market chains like Wing Stop have leased.
I'm honestly surprised that Longhorn Steakhouse hasn't signed on. They're owned by Darden, like nearby Olive Garden, and have three other locations along the I-81 corridor (Winchester, Hagerstown, Chambersburg). Red Robin seemed like another likely option as well.
It's a shame they are having trouble finding another large restaurant chain. I feel the project needs to one more large chain other than Chili's. There's nothing wrong with Chilis, but variety is the spice of life for these projects. I am glad some new-to-the-market chains like Wing Stop have leased.
Yes it is a shame but on the other hand I believe many of those chains are cutting back such as what Ruby Tuesday is currently doing. On the flip side there is Joe's Steakhouse. Joe's is a very small but upscale chain but they are based locally with locations in front Royal, Woodstock and one in downtown Winchester. I wouldn't be surprised if they are at least keep tabs on Martinsburg,
Wing Stop needs to be the model. Bring in stuff that is NOT in the surrounding areas or non-chain establishments. Martinsburg has some great mom and pop spots that would benefit from a better, higher-profile location.
If you look up Chili's Martinsburg on Twitter, there are several tweets from construction managers regarding the new restaurant. You can see things are progressing very quickly, with exterior signage already in place. A particular Tweet from someone who seems to be a manager indicates the opening date will be October 17th.
Wing Stop needs to be the model. Bring in stuff that is NOT in the surrounding areas or non-chain establishments. Martinsburg has some great mom and pop spots that would benefit from a better, higher-profile location.
I totally agree. Now I have to ask..something I had been curious about for years. Is Martinsburg a tough place to be when opening up and running a mom & pop type of business ?? I knew the two guys who had the Grapevine Cafe which was located not far from the Journal Newspaper offices about 15 years ago. They did good business but for some reason it always did seemed that the city of Martinsburg was always picking on them for whatever reason. I was with WEPM at the time and they were clients of ours and because of that I wasn't allowed to ask them about their troubles with Martinsburg plus at the time, which didn't help I wasn't a Journal reader so I have no idea what their troubles really were other than that they had it with Martinsburg and took their business to somewhere in Pennsylvania. On a similar note back in 2000 I was dating a guy who lived in Uniontown, PA. At the time he really had wanted to open up a computer business somewhere in downtown Martinsburg. He visited the town and fell in love with it. Anyway after talking to some of the other business owners about opening up his shop in Martibsurg he was actually warned by many not too. Some suggested Winchester ( he had no interest to open up there ) and others suggested Hagerstown ( too expensive there he had thought ). Oddly enough he ended up picking Morgantown but alas..his business is now defunct. Last I heard he lives in San Francisco now. Wish I knew why he vetoed Martinsburg but he never would tell me.
It would be nice if they could fill in the stores/restaurants that are still vacant.
Tudors - is there another Tudors out there besides Tudors Biscuit World?
A Red Robin would be nice. Thought there was talk of a Tilted Kilt coming to the Martinsburg area? Wonder if any thing to replace the Bob Evans in the Ranson area and the Ryan's that is at the Martinsburg Mall/Foxcroft Ave area.
Not that we would see it but have some friends and me hoping for a BJ Brew like over by FSK in Frederick, Md.
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Chili's Update
