Earlier this year when individuals involved with the currently under construction “Marketplace at Bridgeport” said they had several entities lined up – including a national coffee chain – many had their suspicions as to who that might be. On Monday following the Bridgeport Planning Commission meeting, the lead individual in the multi-million dollar development confirmed what many have thought.

 

“We’ll have a Starbucks on one of the pads that we’ll be creating at the site,” said Biafore, with Metro Property Management out of Morgantown. “ … It will be part of a nice building that’s all brick with a curved feature to it. We also plan to have plenty of others.”

 

While Biafora stopped there as to who he had committed, he didn’t stop as to what was coming and also let the cat out of the bag on at least one national chain that he has been in contact with about locating in Bridgeport. He said if that chain didn’t come here, he would have something else of the same genre.

 

“We’ll have a Mexican place for sure. We’ve talked to Chipotle (Mexican Grill), but there’s nothing for sure,” said Biafora. “If we don’t have them, we have a Mexican restaurant that is located in many of our developments that will likely follow us.”

 

Biafora also that in total he sees as many as six restaurants located in the new development. He said they will include fast food and sit down types of restaurants as well as local, regional and national brands. One member of the Bridgeport Planning Commission asked Biafora Monday if he had talked with Cheddar's about locating here. Biafora said he had not had conversation with that group, but did mention at least one more.

 

“We’ll also be having a seafood restaurant. It’s a local restaurant, but they have a few locations and they have a great atmosphere. One thing you won’t see are the types of restaurants that you see at these (gambling establishments),” he said. “I can also tell you that we’re very confident of filling all of the spots we have for restaurants and all of our buildings.”

 

The first building, which will be three stories, that is going up will include a yet-to-be-named bank. The bank will have a drive through included, but there will office space for other businesses. Biafora told the Bridgeport Planning Commission Monday that he has begun targeting a specific type of business for some of the office space that will be created.

 

“We’re seeing our office space and some of the building leaning a little bit more to the medical field,” said Biafora, who would be able to take advantage of United Hospital Center directly across the roadway. “We’re already talking to potential clients.”

 

Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman pointed out that Biafora's confidence shouldn't be confused with hyperbole. He said there is a track record of development success.

 

"Typically the developments he and his companies are involved in go from groundbreaking to businesses being open relatively quickly," said Spellman. "Their development strategy is aggressive and is successful. What they have planned in this development will provide a nice mix of businesses for the city and the region." 

 

To get an idea of what this company has been involved in, all one needs to do is take a look at the restaurants alone that occupy some of their properties. Eateries such as Sonic, Tilted Kilt, Pies and Pints, Jimmy John’s, Five Guys Burgers and more are part of their portfolio. They also have Gander Mountain, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, PNC Bank, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and many other familiar names who they’ve done business with.

 

Many of those businesses are located in their Suncrest Towne Centre and Pierpont Landings projects in Morgantown. In Bridgeport, Biafora has already completed the Charles Pointe Commons buildings (housing Mia Margherita, Firehouse Subs, Meagher’s Irish Pub and a host of others), Parkview Village and the Crestview Terrace Apartments.

 

While Metro Property is overseeing the project, Accelerated Construction is doing the work. The real estate is being handled by Premier Commercial Real Estate Services, all of which are under the umbrella of companies overseen by Biafora.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Dave Biafora, while Randy Spellman is shown below.