David Biafora has been in the development business long enough to know when things are bad, when things are good and when perhaps things aren’t as they seem. When it comes to property he’s involved with at Charles Pointe, it’s more in the direction of things not as they seem.

 

Late last month, one of the buildings Biafora is involved with through his various companies saw not one, but two, businesses depart. The first to leave was Sweet Frog, which left earlier in August. The second was Sprint, which closed shop last week and was loading fixtures and other items from their store Tuesday.

 

While that may cause alarm for many in the development field, Biafora didn’t flinch.

 

“You hate to see any business go, but things are still good and we’re still doing leases there and across the road (at the Market Place),” said Biafora. “With Sweet Frog, there lease was up, and Sprint is in trouble nationwide. They actually bought their lease out.”

 

What that means is for the first time in a long time there are two open properties available at the strip Biafora is involved with. And he said his real estate group that he’s also involved with, Premier Commercial Real Estate Services, is ready to get them filled sooner rather than later.

 

“I’m confident they won’t be vacant too long,” said Biafora.

 

Does that mean they have something coming?

 

“There’s nothing definitive as it’s still really early. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that we have one person showing interest, but it’s just to look and gauge their interest,” said Biafora, who wouldn’t divulge the business or the nature of the business.

 

“For the most part of that plaza’s life it’s been full, and the market is good,” said Biafora. “The fact we’re signing leases just across the way at the Marketplace doesn’t have me too concerned at this point.”

 

Anyone interested in looking at or even acquiring the space can contact Premier Commercial at 304-777-4050. The Web site is PremierCommercialRES.com.
 

According to the Bridgeport Finance Department, Sweet Frog obtained its license in January of 2017. Information on Sprint was not readily available.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows workers taking items out of the Charles Pointe Sprint store, while the sign showing the former Sweet Frog space is up for lease is shown below.