National coffee chain coming to Sterling?

STERLING – Here's some news to perk up java junkies in Sterling:

An undisclosed "national coffee chain" is working with First Rockford Group to come to the strip mall under construction in the Sterling Commons shopping center in the 4300 block of East Lincolnway,

I got a call Wednesday from Pankaj Mahajan, vice president of development for First Rockford Group. He tells me the company is "working with a national coffee chain to locate there with a drive-thru."

So you wouldn't even have to stop very long if you're too jacked up on coffee to park your car!

The coffee chain, which Mahajan declined to name, has not yet signed a lease, Mahajan said. The only company to put its John Hancock on a lease is a chiropractor's practice, he said.

"We're working on a few others," he said. "Our experience in Sterling has been we build it and they will come."

Although Sterling isn't in Iowa, it has a heavenly business market, according to Mahajan.

"I think Sterling is an underrated market, he added. "The demand is there. People want to see it. That's what we've learned."

The strip mall will have 8,000-square-feet and contain up to four stores. Construction is slated to be done in October. The building under construction is the third in Sterling Commons. After tenants have been secured, a fourth building will be constructed.