Business & Tech

Ross Towne Center to Gain New Tenant? Giant Eagle Says No Confirmed Plans

A Pittsburgh Business Times report Friday said the local grocery chain signed a lease to open a discount grocery store in the shopping center.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported today that Giant Eagle has leased the former Roomful Express in the McKnight Road Ross Towne Center with plans to open a Valu King, the chain's discount brand.

According to the article, details of the lease, which were not confirmed by the company or the leasing agent, are circling among local real estate professionals.

Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Giant Eagle, said in an interview with Patch that it's possible the grocery chain looked at the space, but "there are no confirmed plans for that location at this time."

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"Giant Eagle looks at a lot of possibilities. Some happen, some don't," he said. 

A leasing agent for ECHO Retail, the firm representing Malkin Properties, which owns the property, could not be immediately reached this afternoon to confirm the original report. 

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Dan Hankins, Ross Township's building code official and zoning officer, said he has met with developers interested in the 62,000-square foot space anchoring the retail shopping center — but plans have not been officially submitted to his office. 

He did not name who the interested parties are. 

"Everything is rumor and speculation and innuendo until we have the permit applications," he said. 

Giant Eagle has been active along the Route 19 corridor. It has plans to open a GetGo convenience store and gas station on the property . And earlier this year . 

At the same time, the Ross Towne Center, located along the busy McKnight Road and across the street from the main entrance to the , is getting notable interest of late from new businesses.

Construction work on the former Goodwill space being renovated for the North-Carolina discount grocery chain Bottom Dollar is on-going, as is the renovation of the former Office Depot store on the oppposite end of the center. 

Home appliance and consumer electronics retailer,, which  The target date for the opening is sometime between Memorial Day and early July. About 50 new jobs will be created.  

Bottom Dollar is planning on a fall opening, said Tenisha Waldo, a spokesman for the company. She said the store expects to hire 30 to 35 people. 

In addition, Carlisle's of Pittsburgh, a family-run bridal shop that has been operating since 1888, will be opening next to very soon — although an exact date has not yet been set, said owner Jan Winner.

The shop is moving this weekend from its Strip District location, where it relocated in 2001 after leaving its established North Side spot.  

Stay tuned to Patch for further updates on this developing story.


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