Developer considers Friendly site : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — A neighborhood west of Friendly Center could face another major rezoning battle early next year.

City leaders said Monday that a developer is considering applying for a rezoning to allow commercial development on six residential lots at the northwest corner of West Friendly Avenue and Hobbs Road, just past The Shops at Friendly Center.

Several property owners believe the developer could be Trader Joe’s, a grocery chain which features its own organic and conventional products.

Mayor Robbie Perkins said council members have been approached by a representative of a developer about a project at the site.

He would not confirm whether the grocer was associated with the possible development, but said it would be a “pretty logical assumption.”

“(The developers) were saying that they wanted to make their own announcement, but this would be someone who was looking in the Greensboro area for a while,” Perkins said.

When asked for comment, Trader Joe’s spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said, “Unfortunately, at this time, we don’t have anything to confirm.”

Asked if she might have something to confirm later, she said, “I don’t have a comment regarding that.”

Last week, a developer approached city zoning officials to discuss a potential commercial retail development on six residential lots north of Friendly, according to Mike Kirkman of the city Planning and Community Development Department.

Kirkman declined to identify the developer, noting that no one has submitted an application for the project, a first step in the rezoning process. But he said he expected something to be submitted in time for the February zoning commission meeting.

Henry Isaacson, the city’s leading real estate attorney, declined to comment.

Only one homeowner who lives in the area that may be developed could be reached for comment Monday.

“I better not say anything,” said Vera T. Rabin, who owns two of the six lots on that block of Friendly. “I am not in charge of this. I don’t know what information is secret or is on the plate.”

The senior pastor of First Lutheran Church, which adjoins the property in question, said the congregation had not received formal notification that the land may be rezoned.

“Our posture is going to be just wait and see,” the Rev. Charles M. Zimmerman said in a voice mail. “(We want) to have conversation with the neighborhood (to determine) its impact on them and on us and then figure out how to be a good neighbor.”

If the grocer were to build a new store at that location, such a development would likely be met with both support and opposition.

Greensboro residents have long wished Trader Joe’s would put a store in the city.

But homeowners of area neighborhoods have fought what some consider the slow creep of commercial development along a mostly residential corridor.

Residents opposed the development of a medical office building just up Friendly at the Holden Road intersection last year.

A leader among the homeowners in the Starmount Forest and Hamilton Lakes neighborhoods said she anticipates major opposition if another rezoning request moves forward.

“I had heard there were rumors of a Trader Joe’s in the Friendly Center area, but I am not in favor of rezoning,” said Susan Wilson, a member of the board of Hamilton Lakes and Parks Inc., which covers both neighborhoods. “I am not in favor of rezoning residential to commercial. There is plenty of commercial property in this town.”

Wilson said she would welcome a Trader Joe’s to Greensboro “in a heartbeat, but not in a location that is residential.”

Other area residents didn’t take as hard a line as Wilson, who took part in opposition that defeated the rezoning request at Friendly Avenue and Holden Road.

“As a consumer, I would love it,” said Tony Ledford , a former member of the neighborhood board. “That (location) would be extremely convenient for me.”

Mochizuki called Trader Joe’s a neighborhood grocery that operates stores that range from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet. She said 80 percent of the items carry the Trader Joe’s brand.

Trader Joe’s has six locations in North Carolina, including three in Charlotte and one each in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Cary.

The Shops at Friendly Center is already home to a large Harris Teeter. Next year, a Whole Foods Market is scheduled to open at the Sears building at Friendly Center.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com

pampack

December 13, 2011 - 6:36 am EST

The management of Trader Joe's will find Winston-Salem to be a welcoming alternative if there is too much opposition in Greensboro.

EdinNC

December 13, 2011 - 10:19 am EST

Never mind. I just found out that it is not Trader Joe's.

zelliegirl

December 13, 2011 - 7:49 am EST

I find the new shopping center at Highwoods Blvd in the Target Shopping Center to be pleasant, there is a great opening in the vacant book store. I would choose Trader Joes over the other Market there any day of the week!!

RagingModerate

December 13, 2011 - 7:59 am EST

Why would they want to be down the block from Whole Foods and create so much ill-will by tearing down houses? There is plenty of vacant commercial space in the near vicinity where they could be seen as altruistic and still serve the same area. Market Street near Holden would be an ideal place for a Trader Joes and would better hit their demo by being more accessible to the Lindley Park, UNCG area. They would still be just as easily accessible to Starmount and Hamilton Lakes residents who would be much more inclined to shop in a store that wasn't invading their neighborhood. I strongly encourage Trader Joes, to reconsider their site selection.

jopr

December 13, 2011 - 8:11 am EST

Seriously, why this exact spot. Why not at the corner of Northline and Hobbs where the ill-fated condo building was supposed to go. It is across the street! And like other posts have stated, what is wrong all the other vacant space in town (old Fresh Market on Guilford College, Linens and Things on Wendover, old Harris Teeter on Cornwallis, etc.). Being within walking distance (like 1/10 of a mile) of both a Whole Foods and Harris Teeter seems like an odd choice.

retiree

December 13, 2011 - 10:03 am EST

It's about money . . .the high discretionaray incomes in the Hobbs Road area is the attraction, not Wendover or Lawndale.

December 13, 2011 - 10:49 am EST

Fine...but what about the parcel right across the street? Plus, if you look at the location of the Raleigh store, it is a fringe location that helped revitalize that shopping plaza so the other locations aren't that far off, particularly the old HT on Cornwallis.

fnz8665

December 13, 2011 - 8:16 am EST

I LOVE visiting TJs, and always do when visiting family in Charlotte or driving by Chapel Hill. However, this location is not a good one. I am not in support of converting residential to commercial. There are many better locations. Someone above mentioned the former Books-a-million near Target in the Jefferson Shopping center. Or what about either of the two old Fresh Market locations (Quaker Village or Lawndale). I know parking is tight there, but no worse then a Charlotte location. Or how about the former Harris Teeter at Golden Gate? Not a fan of Whole Foods (aka. Whole Paycheck) but at least they are not destroying homes and creating more unnecessary stormwater runnoff by retrofitting an already developed parcel.

katei

December 14, 2011 - 2:29 pm EST

my thoughts exactly. although I think Greensboro has its fill of upscale/natural/organic grocers and would rather see the downtown deep roots get a chance before we're inundated with that type of shopping.

The old harris teeter on Cornwallis (which is near irving park old money, lake jeanette new money, and elm street) would make a perfect fit.

The old fresh market spot at quaker village is also ideal as its near the proposed locale and serves hamilton lakes, starmount, cardinal and northwest suburbs.

Both of these spots are vacant not because of their location but because both fresh market and harris teeter literally outgrew the dimensions. Trader Joe's isn't the mega-size store that HT and FM have become--they only stock like 4,000 items--which would fit either the cornwallis or quaker locations quite well.

banjoman

December 13, 2011 - 8:18 am EST

I agree with RagingModerate. There's a new Sheetz going up on West Market at United Street and the shopping center on the other side of Market St. is mostly vacant (and has been for years). The anchor store there used to be a Krogers so it's a huge lot. Why not make use of space that's already available?

weatherwithyou33

December 13, 2011 - 9:10 am EST

Because people in Greensboro are scared to go anywhere other than Friendly and occasionally Wendover.

Dogwood

December 13, 2011 - 10:20 am EST

I think Greensboro shoppers are pretty brave to continue to shop at Friendly after the Old Navy robbery and murder. Even Petland has been robbed at this shopping center for heaven's sake. The former camera shop and drugstore have been strong-arm robbed multible times in the past fifty-five+ years. Shoplifters are also very active at Friendly especially during the holidays.
Stop the northwest commercial creep please. Hobbs Road leads to the new Jefferson shopping area that is beautiful and perfect for a Trader Joe's. What could be better than a brisk walk in the ecologically inspired Price Park and shopping for wholesome goods at a nearby Trader Joe's?

December 13, 2011 - 10:04 am EST

See my post to JOPR. The discretionary incomes where the old Krogers used to be is very low, plus the neighborhood area is near railroad tracks, industries, etc.

newtogso

December 13, 2011 - 9:14 am EST

Whomever is working with or representing Trader Joe's should be smarter than this - find an existing site with appropriate zoning. As others have identified, there are more than enough commercially zoned places that could support a Trader Joe's. It sure would look good in that Canada Dry building on High Point Road that Matt Brown is going to tear down if City Council gives him permission tonight.

citywatcher

December 13, 2011 - 10:37 am EST

What about the old Winn Dixie location on Philips Ave in Northeast Greensboro?

December 13, 2011 - 10:43 am EST

Let's face it - that area doesn't meet the median incomes that Trader Joe's desires for where it sites its stores. A better location might be as an anchor for the S. Elm Redevelopment at the corner of S. Elm and Lee St.

December 13, 2011 - 10:52 am EST

haha I was actually being funny, hoping to get a funny response. True the income level is not high enough in NE GSO plus the higher crime rate. I wish Trader Joe's would come downtown. It would be a golden opportunity. But with Deep Roots moving in, that cancels that idea. When ever Wimston-Salem gets one, I'll bet it will be downtown.

December 14, 2011 - 2:50 pm EST

I'm excited to give deep roots a chance downtown. The area has needed a grocer for ages...

Deep Roots is a trusted local business which deserves our patronage. Their business circulates within our community almost entirely--from vendors to cashiers to customers. This is not the case with Trader Joe's.

However, the intersection of Elm & Cornwallis is less than 3 miles from downtown and has a recently emptied grocer slot. The Cornwallis shopping center (and general area) needs an anchor like Trader Joe's.

Harris Teeter moved out to favor their newer (much larger) store--the three other locations within 5-10 miles. The Food Lion which is also in the shopping center is not a competitive factor as it suits the needs of the nearby elderly and lower-income neighborhoods. However, some of GSO's highest-income neighborhoods are also nearby which provides the targeted demographic for Trader Joe's.

The Cornwallis shopping center is perfect. Easy to reach locale. Good parking. A Starbucks (grocery-shopping and coffee go hand-in-hand). The proximity to Food Lion--which focuses on an entirely different customer--is a value to coupon-queens like myself.

A Trader Joe's at Cornwallis suits the needs of our town and aids a skeleton shopping center desperately in need of an attractive anchor. State Street and Revolution Mills are two wonderful and under-appreciated parts of our town... lets give them some love.

If Trader Joe's wants to come to Greensboro, it should be mutually beneficial and not bulldoze a neighborhood in efforts to latch onto the behemoth Friendly Center.

It's time we see more companies develop with ethics and an eye for this community.

goodtoknow

December 13, 2011 - 9:44 am EST

Why not start some good shopping areas on the east side of town?

tuffi

December 13, 2011 - 9:45 am EST

The former Borders Book store at the intersection of Holden and High Point Rd would be a great location.

lipeachy23

December 13, 2011 - 1:41 pm EST

True that Tuffi! There is also the place beside of Total wine. Great locations!

December 13, 2011 - 10:23 am EST

This area of town is like no other in Greensboro. Its affluent enough to support three majors chain grocery stores across from each other (Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods). Then you have to factor in that Friendly Center is a regional destination. People all over Greensboro and some areas of the Triad will be shopping at Trader Joe's. The store itself has that kind of regional draw. People Clamor for Trader Joe's like a new Apple Store.

rooster8786

December 13, 2011 - 10:54 am EST

It is NOT going to be a Trader Joe's. It's going to be a new Walgreen's...

December 13, 2011 - 11:17 am EST

Sorry we know thats not true. This much fuss wouldn't be made over a Walgreens plus the mayor said this entity will be new to the Greensboro area and has been looking at our area for a while.

December 13, 2011 - 11:32 am EST

sorry you couldn't "read" the sarcastic inflection of my comments...

December 13, 2011 - 11:33 am EST

Are you joking? Can you verify? Issacson holds his cards close to his chest and he knows a Walgreen's won't fly without a giant neighborhood fight. This property is too important to be falsly rumored about. If Mrs Rabin is a willing seller, then the buying developer would have better luck with zoning high-end townhouses near single elite housing I would think.

Mad Dog

December 13, 2011 - 11:20 am EST

"But homeowners of area neighborhoods have fought what some consider the slow creep of commercial development along a mostly residential corridor."

That's the same situation New Garden Road faced and is still facing from Balinger Road to Battleground Avenue. Now you Starmount & Hamilton Lakes folks know how the rest of Greensboro lives.

December 13, 2011 - 11:37 am EST

We have a new city council now...one that is now on the liberal side. This project will likely pass in city council and i'm sure most on the council aren't going to pass up on Trader Joe's, a store Greensboro has been seeking for a while now. I don't see how this store will affect the neighborhood negatively. Its not going to create more traffic through the neighborhoods. People coming from all directions are either going to take Holden Rd or Friendly Ave to get to this store. The ones who will fight the zoning change will be the very ones shopping there after it opens.

shine

December 13, 2011 - 12:01 pm EST

Goodness, this is ridiculous. You have no idea how long Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have been trying to open up locations here in Greensboro. Both Harris Teeter and Fresh Market have been fighting against their moves. Friendly Center (owned by the Starmount corporation) has a contract with Harris Teeter to be the ONLY food store in the shopping center. Whole Foods got around that because the Sears building is not owned by Friendly Center. Fresh Market, which was born here and still has corporate offices here, hates both establishments because they consider Whole Foods and Trader Joe's trendy, high class competition. Despite what representatives of the neighborhood might say, most neighbors would love a convenient Trader Joe's close to Friendly Center. This corner isn't in the heart of any neighborhood. It sits on the corner of Hobbs and Friendly where there is already tons of traffic. If the homeowners don't mind selling, I don't see what the big deal is. Sure there are lots of other places in Greensboro to house a Trader Joe's, but think about how Earth Fare is doing and how it could be doing if it were in Friendly Center. Certain corporations in Greensboro really hate competition and will fight tooth and nail to prevent it from happening. Part of this is fighting a possible build of a Trader Joe's anywhere near their current locations.

December 13, 2011 - 12:54 pm EST

Thats been a part of Greensboro's history. local powerful corporations keep the competition out. Its how the Cones ran things around here for a long time. That kind of local power is why Greensboro isn't where it should be today.

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