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STERLING – In early June, I reported that First Rockford Group was working with an unnamed national coffee chain to locate in the strip mall that was under construction in Sterling Commons Shopping Center. The chain was expected to open a drive-thru, if it ended up coming to Sterling.
Since then I have had numerous inquiries from those in Sterling wondering which chain it would be. All I could do was assure them that I was persistently following up, at least weekly.
In late July, I had a small break in the case when Caribou Coffee told me clearly that it would not be locating in Sterling – the only absolute answer I had received.
Then my source at First Rockford Group, Vice President of Development Pankaj Mahajan, told me a few weeks ago that the coffee chain had test-marketed the Sterling location and apparently was happy with the results. The development company was negotiating the lease with the chain.
The building’s construction was completed last week, Mahajan tells me. It sits on Lincolnway waiting for tenants.
Monday, Mahajan told me which chain will move in:
None.
And I don’t mean some trendy coffee chain out of New York City; I mean no coffee chain will move into the strip mall.
At least not soon.
“I don’t think the coffee shop, ... they put it on hold,” Mahajan said. “There’s nothing I can do. Right now we’re not negotiating any leases.”
That’s right. The coffee chain has thrown a big, cold venti latte on its plans to open in Sterling – for the time being.
The delay has nothing to do with Sterling, Mahajan said.
“It’s nothing to do with the market,” he said. “They’re going through internal analysis.”
While the coffee chain counts its beans, a chiropractor’s office still is set to move in by next month, Mahajan said. The development group continues to seek other businesses.
“It seems like the standard in Sterling is people want to see the building up and running before they commit to it, so that’s an approach we’re taking for the Sterling market,” he said.
The development group had a project next door stalled in 2009. The group started working on Sterling Commons Shopping Center in 2006, and put in roads, a traffic signal and utilities for the center, and then delayed construction on the 36-acre development. By June 2010, Buffalo Wild Wings had moved into a completed building in the center. By December of that year, the building that houses Aspen Dental was completed.
Nursing and retirement home expands
MORRISON – Resthave Nursing & Retirement Home is building an assisted living and skilled care addition.
The retirement home at 408 Maple Ave. is adding three wings. The project is in the first of three phases, which started in August. Foundation floors were poured this week. Phase one is expected to be done by January or February.
“We’re just expanding the current building, but we’re going out in just about every direction,” Administrator Tami Tegeler said.
The home is adding about 38,000 square feet. and 16 assisted living units. The retirement home has 21 sheltered care units, which it is re-licensing as assisted living, for a total of 37 assisted living units, Tegeler said. The nursing area has 49 licensed beds, which it is increasing by 21 to 70.
The home will have a capacity of 107 when it’s done.
Resthave also is getting Medicare certification. Currently it is Medicaid certified.
The second phase will be to add a new skilled nursing area and expand the kitchen and dining room. The third phase will be remodeling the original building. The project is expected to be done by late summer 2014.
“We’re very excited and can’t wait to get it all done,” Tegeler said. “It’ll be a nice addition to the community and to be able to service our residents.”
Have a business tip? Let us know. Email SVM Reporter Bridget Flynn, bflynn@saukvalley.com or call 800-798-4085, ext. 521.
