HADLEY — A vacant building at the Mountain Farms Mall complex will be converted into space for two to three new commercial tenants.
The Planning Board this week agreed to waive site plan review so mall owner W.S. Development of Chestnut Hill can begin renovating the former Manny’s TV & Appliances building at 7 South Maple St.
Josh Kline, development manager for W.S. Development, said there are a lot of interested tenants, and the 9,000-square-foot building, constructed in 2004, presents an opportunity for reuse.
Manny’s moved to 41 Russell St., at the Hampton Village Barn Shops, in 2018.
Kline isn’t yet identifying the possible tenants but said that businesses are approaching the mall because of the activity already taking place on the site, including the two new buildings under construction at the Route 9 entrance that will house an L.L. Bean, 110 Grill and Five Guys.
The plan is to have three tenants, though that number could be reduced. “Right now we’re looking at three, but there is a potential it will be a two-tenant building,” Kline said.
The building itself will not be enlarged, though it will be updated to have a modern storefront with more glass, Kline said. The gable roof will also be removed.
The building’s tenants will have to come before the Planning Board for approvals of any signs they will attach.
Meantime, the two new buildings under construction remain on track to be completed and turned over to the businesses in the coming months, Kline said.
“We expect a fall of this year opening for L.L. Bean and 110 Grill,” Kline said. “Hopefully, Five Guys will be right behind them.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
