Wayne Taco Bell

[Volanova]

So the Taco Bell next to the old Blockbuster building in Wayne appears to be shuttered, with paper over the windows and the sign down. Was just here a few days ago, and there was no sign of this happening. No real estate signs or anything up around the building. Anyone know what's going to be happening here? Someone buy the property and about to do a development a la Wayne Square?

[PhilaCap]

A Dollar Tree store is going in there.

[Volanova]

A Dollar Tree store is going in there.

Seriously? That seems a little, uh...out of place in downtown Wayne.

[johnnie]

Seriously? That seems a little, uh...out of place in downtown Wayne.

I just drove by there a few days ago. I thought I saw a for sale/lease sign up at the old Blockbusters. When did that location close? I think it has been a while so maybe demand on that end of Lancaster is weak.

[daninpa]

Is it an old Taco Bell? The one in Deptford they closed down without any warning and put a brand new one in the same spot a few months later. They also built a brand new one on City Ave and closed the old one. They seem to be aggressively upgrading.

[Volanova]

I just drove by there a few days ago. I thought I saw a for sale/lease sign up at the old Blockbusters. When did that location close? I think it has been a while so maybe demand on that end of Lancaster is weak.

That place has been closed for a long while, well over a year at least. A local body shop or car dealership appears to have been using the lot as temporary storage.

I'm surprised at lack of demand down there though. The new shopping center, a newly renovated building that appears to be full on Aberdeen just north of Lancaster seem to indicate that demand is there. Lots of foot traffic would make it ideal for a retail location one would think assuming they renovated it or rebuilt to address the street more than it does.

[Volanova]

Is it an old Taco Bell? The one in Deptford they closed down without any warning and put a brand new one in the same spot a few months later. They also built a brand new one on City Ave and closed the old one. They seem to be aggressively upgrading.

Yeah, it probably dates from the mid 80s if I had to guess. Makes sense though that they'd want to upgrade. They have to be getting a lot of competition from the new Chipotle across the street.

[johnnie]

That place has been closed for a long while, well over a year at least. A local body shop or car dealership appears to have been using the lot as temporary storage.

I'm surprised at lack of demand down there though. The new shopping center, a newly renovated building that appears to be full on Aberdeen just north of Lancaster seem to indicate that demand is there. Lots of foot traffic would make it ideal for a retail location one would think assuming they renovated it or rebuilt to address the street more than it does.

I think that spot is in a bit of a dead zone for walking. I grew up out there and went to grade school a block from the Taco Bell. Most people probably drive from downtown Wayne (between Louella and N Wayne Ave. along Lancaster) to the new strip mall where the Acme was.

[mixiboi]

This is true too, they are trying to upgrade all of theirs stores while their sales are up; which also have been up since the drop of the economy thanks to their prices.

IT al;so helps that they are selling millions of Doritos Tacos now...

[Volanova]

I think that spot is in a bit of a dead zone for walking. I grew up out there and went to grade school a block from the Taco Bell. Most people probably drive from downtown Wayne (between Louella and N Wayne Ave. along Lancaster) to the new strip mall where the Acme was.

Perhaps... I do know that, due to some issues I have raised with the township, they are in communication with PennDOT's regional director to have the curbs reset and sidewalks rebuilt along Lancaster, which could potentially increase foot traffic in the area by getting rid of the horrible less-than-1-inch-curbs and narrow sidewalks between Aberdeen and Chamounix/St. Davids. That could possibly get more people that live more than two blocks from N. Wayne Ave walking to Wayne instead of driving.

[Volanova]

Saw the plans for the proposed Rite Aid the other day. Looks like they are combining the Blockbuster and Taco Bell Lots. The Rite Aid will roughly follow the footprint of the Blockbuster, except it looks like it will be set directly on the sidewalk with an entryway at the southeast corner. The Taco Bell lot will be converted to parking.

Some positives: The curb cuts will be reduced to a total of three, one on Lancaster, one on Aberdeen and a third on Kromer. The building will be up on the sidewalk with benches and trash cans, so there is potential for street activation. They also are wanting to put in a bike rack, which is great.

Some negatives: A full half of the lot is paved parking, and that lot is the corner of Aberdeen and Lancaster. I would have MUCH preferred to see the building fronting the street with parking around back, but that would be too much to ask of a company thrives on suburban strip mall locations. Also: It's a Rite Aid. I guess I'm glad to get it out of downtown Wayne, but at the same time, I'd have much preferred some other retail or dining, or even a small grocery.