The vacancy created when Stow-Glen Retirement Village shut down won't be a lasting void, with some big names poised to join Stow's bustling commercial corridor in addition to construction of a nursing home.
A Chick-Fil-A restaurant , a Sheetz gas station and two retail buildings have been proposed for part of the former Stow-Glen property.
Zack Cowan, Stow's director of planning and development, said a developer has submitted a preliminary plan for the city to review. The buildings would be in front of the former Stow-Glen facility.
A Chick-Fil-A spokesperson said Wednesday the franchise is "always evaluating potential new locations" but said the company cannot yet confirm whether a Stow restaurant is coming.
A representative from Sheetz could not be reached for comment.
The proposal, submitted by Osborne Capital Group, includes plans for a gas station with a 6,200-square-foot building and six pumps near Kent Road, on the front western part of the former retirement center property. It would be next door to the Meijer gas station.
To the east is a proposed restaurant building that would be slightly more than 5,000 square feet.
Behind the proposed gas station and restaurant would be the two possible retail buildings, one 13,100 square feet and the other 15,000 square feet.
Official plans have not been submitted to the city, Cowan stressed.
"This is still under review by the city, so things could change on the plan," he said.
Chick-fil-A is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, according to the company. More than 200,000 people are employed by independent owner-operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Sheetz is headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania and has around 700 facilities in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.
Construction on nursing home at former Stow-Glen has started
The proposed developments would be in addition to plans for the new The Avenue at Stow Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center, plus remodeling the existing two vacant assisted living buildings on the site into apartment complexes. There would be 130 total units, with 122 one-bedroom units and eight two-bedroom units, with 197parking spaces.
Marc H. Cohen of North Coast Architects, which is overseeing the work, said construction has begun and is expected to take 14 to 18 months to complete.
Stow-Glen Retirement Village closed in October 2021 after 37 years. According to a media release sent by the retirement center's ownership, the facility had faced significant financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with a "dramatically" decreased census, operating budget and cash flow.
Dick's Sporting Goods expected to start construction in August
Another project Stow area residents have been watching is the planned Dick's Sporting Goods store, which will go where Macy's formerly was in the Stow-Kent Shopping Center.
"Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking to start actual construction sometime in August," Cowan said. "They’ve already worked on the foundation pad and grading."
Plans for the new 50,023-square-foot store at 4399 Kent Road were approved earlier this year . The sports retail store is headquartered in Pittsburgh, and also operates stores in Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn and Aurora, plus a warehouse in Aurora and a Golf Galaxy store in Fairlawn.
Could a First Watch be coming to Stow? Maybe
Cowan added that the city might also see a First Watch restaurant at another location in that vicinity. He said representatives inquired about places in Stow, including the former Sleep Outfitters at 4420 Kent Road. Cowan said he has not heard any proposals, however, since the franchise first contacted him.
A spokesperson from First Watch stated Wednesday that the franchise has "a robust real estate development pipeline, but at this time, we're unable to confirm this specific location."
First Watch serves made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch, with more than 530 restaurants in 29 states. For details, visit www.firstwatch.com.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Stow-Glen site suddenly hot commodity with Chick-fil-A, Sheetz waiting in the wings
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