Starbucks, bigger stores on list for Wayne
By Turner Walston
Published in News on January 17, 2006 1:45 PM
A long-rumored coffee shop is planning to locate in Goldsboro, and two major retailers in the city are planning extensive renovations.
Starbucks Coffee submitted plans to the city Inspections Department last week to build on an outparcel in front of Berkeley Mall. The shop would be located near the mall's entrance, across from Wachovia Bank. Quizno's Subs also is planning a second Goldsboro store that would be adjacent to Starbucks.
Starbucks is one of the most recognized coffee-shop chains in the world. From a single shop that opened in Seattle in 1971, the company has grown to nearly 6,000 locations in 37 countries, according to the company's Web site.
Starbucks manages its shops directly or through subsidiaries, instead of awarding franchises.
Two existing retailers, Target and Wal-Mart will expand or remodel their stores over the next several months.
Target plans to expand its Berkeley Boulevard store by 15,000 square feet, Goldsboro Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra said.
"It doesn't specifically say it's going to be a grocery store, but I have all indications they're increasing the size to make it a Target Superstore," Cianfarra said.
The store will be expanded from the southwest end, toward the ditch that separates Target from the Berkeley Mall parking lot. Target officials initially wanted to extend the store to the ditch, but had to make room for a fire lane, Cianfarra said. Store officials had fought adding sidewalks adjacent to the expansion, but Goldsboro's Unified Development Ordinance, passed in April, requires sidewalks at all new developments.
Target's plans also include changing the store's interior. Contractor John S. Clark of Winston-Salem is the contractor for the expansion, which is expected to cost more than $3 million.
Wal-Mart officials obtained a permit to improve interior sales space at its Spence Avenue location at a cost of $900,000. The project includes a general store remodeling along with repairs.
Cianfarra said he expects to see renovation work at Target and Wal-Mart get started in a few days.
Both stores will remain open during the expansion process, Cianfarra said.
He said Goldsboro residents can expect to see numerous business construction projects get under way this spring. Many developments are in the planning stages now, he said, and will get started in the next few months.
"We should see some good growth here in the next year," Cianfarra said.