During Monday’s Bridgeport City Council work session that featured a presentation by the developers of White Oaks – Woody Thrasher and Jack Keeley – questions were presented to the pair about the difficulty in landing certain retail establishments. In particular, the question of a new grocery story and more restaurants was brought to their attention.

 

As I’ve pointed out in this blog numerous times, getting a major grocery store to come into the area is extremely difficult venture. Getting a national restaurant brand – or even having the mom and pop variety – might not be as tedious but is not easy based on numerous reasons I’ve spelled out several times here.

 

I can assure you that if you read the comments either at the end of this story and definitely on our Facebook page and perhaps our Twitter account, you’ll see that what I’m about to write again will fall (to a select continual few) on completely deaf ears.

 

Before I go further, let me emphasize once again that the developers at White Oaks and even the folks at Charles Pointe can’t pick up the phone and say “Hey, we’ve got land here so come on down.” It just doesn’t work like that and while some folks completely get that, other blame White Oaks, Charles Pointe, the City of Bridgeport and perhaps the Free Masons for them not getting a specific eatery, grocery store or even a Macy’s Department Store.

 

On Monday, however, Woody Thrasher divulged something very interesting that should show how difficult landing those groups are and why he truly believes the difficulties may be easing. Very early in the process of White Oaks, he actually contacted Chick-fil-A about coming to White Oaks. Not only did he contact them, but he offered them free land and the ability to leave with no strings attached if it didn’t work out. That’s right. White Oaks picked up the phone and offered “free” property, which man believes is the way that all development is handled.

 

“We told them if it didn’t work out, we’d take it back from them. They said ‘thanks, but we don’t deviate from our demographics’ and they moved to Eastpointe,” said Thrasher.

 

The demographics Thrasher was referring to was the dreaded rooftop survey that companies like Chick-fil-A use to determine if there are enough units nearby to support a restaurant. In a day and age where chains are becoming more selective they relatively vary from it.

 

Of course, that might appear odd considering Eastpointe’s demographics and rooftop survey would be the same as this area. Thrasher, however, was quick to point out the reason for that during a time when chains were more open to coming to areas than they are now.

 

“You didn’t have to have the rooftops there because it’s already established,” said Thrasher. “That’s why I think in the long haul we’re going to be okay.”

 

In the early haul, which goes back to 2009, Thrasher and Keeley both admitted they were surprised that they were able to land corporations – and substantial ones – while struggling to land restaurant and retail entities. And he said it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

 

“Jack and I have worked very hard, and very quietly, to bring people in,” said Thrasher. “We’ve been reasonably successful, not as successful as we’d like to be; particularly on the restaurants, grocery stores and those retail amenities. That’s our next focus.”

 

For those that have followed the massive buildup of White Oaks, then you know Thrasher doesn’t just like to throw out terminology for feel good purposes. As mentioned on this site a week ago, retail is the key to the next phase and it’s already started.

 

He pointed to the recent announcement of TGI Friday’s coming in as a chain restaurant that could pave the way for others. He said the new retail center that will house McFly Outdoors and fronts Jerry Dove Drive will have a space reserved on the end for a restaurant and there is plenty of room for both retail and eateries in the rest of Phase I and in all areas of Phase II. Phase II, which will connect White Oaks Boulevard where it dead ends at the Dominion location to Route 131 (and have several acres of developable land), is the place where a potential grocery store would most likely be situated.

 

“We’ve reached out just a little bit (to grocery stores) and that will increase once we get the road in Phase II in,” said Thrasher. “We’d rather talk about what we did as opposed to what we’re going to do. Once that road goes through and those pads are prepared, then I can bring in a grocery store and say ‘here’s where you can locate’ as opposed to ‘if you’re interested we’ll build a road and prepare a pad.’ We think that will make a big difference in attracting attention.”

 

When you get right down to it, Thrasher said both he and Keeley would prefer others become involved in bringing in restaurants, grocery stores or other establishments. The property Sheetz sits on was developed by Dave Alvarez. The new TGI Friday’s deal was brokered by John Mosesso of Barbour County, who operates Little Moe’s in Philippi.

 

“Quite frankly, we don’t want to be in the grocery store business or even necessarily the restaurant business,” said Thrasher. “There are opportunities out there for people with that entrepreneurial spirit that want to take a little risk. I think if you open the right grocery store, it would kill out here. I know if you open the right restaurant it will kill it out here.”

 

Some of it’s coming, but it’s going to take time. And while I can’t tell you what’s coming, I can tell you that whatever it is, someone – no matter what it is – will certainly complain about it because the developers should have invited someone else.

 

Editor's Note: Woody Thrasher, top, and Jack Keeley, middle divulged plenty of information on their quest for retail, restaurants and grocery stores during Monday's City Council meeting at their thriving White Oaks development, which shows work being done on the next hotel to go on line below.