EDENS' Revitalization of Bishops Corner Shopping Center Continues to Move Forward

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EDENS, owner and developer of the Bishops Corner Shopping Plaza west of North Main Street and south of Albany Avenue, today announced the names of additional new tenants and provided a project update.  The West Hartford Town Council unanimously approved plans for the redevelopment and revitalization of Bishops Corner Shopping Center in the spring of 2011.

EDENS develops, owns and operates neighborhood shopping centers throughout the East Coast.  Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment in key areas, EDENS is committed to enriching the individual communities in which they do business, creating a unique sense of gathering among neighborhood residents.

Filling a void left when Adams Supermarket closed its doors nearly a decade ago, EDENS is pleased to bring a neighborhood grocery store back to the community.  Neighborhood Market by Wal-Mart will be located in the 50,000 square floor space that formerly housed Adams.  The new West Hartford Neighborhood Market will offer the same brand goods and products that are offered in West Hartford's other traditional grocery stores.  The Neighborhood Market will also feature local and organic fresh produce, groceries and household goods.  The grocery store plans on hiring over 100 new full- and part-time employees and is scheduled to open its doors at Bishops Corner in late 2012.

"We are excited about re-energizing the Bishops Corner neighborhood with the redevelopment of the center.  We will have several well designed and intimate gathering spaces for neighbors to meet and reconnect as well as hand picked best of class local and unique retailers that will be reflective of the community," says Jodie McClean, EDENS President and Chief Investment Officer.

In addition to the new Neighborhood Market, "Sacred Movement Yoga Studio" opened in January in a newly renovated space at the west end of the plaza, next to iParty.   "We opened for business in Bishops Corner last month and have been thrilled at the response of our new clients to the convenience of this location.  We also are impressed with the improvements being done by EDENS and believe this will attract even more clients to our business," said Elizabeth Sullivan, owner and operator of Sacred Movement.  "Noodles & Company" family-style restaurant has also signed a lease for the space adjacent to Massage Envy and is scheduled to open later this spring.  Renovation is currently underway for the relocation of Dot Com Wine to the former Barnes and Noble space with store opening also slated for later this spring. 

New England Integrated Health, located in a newly renovated 5,000 square foot space accessed through the North Main Street office lobby, opened their business to the public in December, while Marshall's has made a new long-term lease commitment to the plaza and will be completing an interior remodel of their space this spring.  Bank of America has also signed a new long-term lease commitment to the center as a result of the redevelopment.

Facade work has been completed on the Marshalls exterior, while renovation of building facades facing North Main and Albany Avenue are ongoing and will continue through the winter.  EDENS is committed to enhancing communities through innovative, yet inviting, designs, using all locally sourced materials.

Facade renovation along west side of property, including the new Community Plaza elevator and Marshalls elevator and stair tower at the southwest end of the plaza will begin in February.

The demolition of the parking garage will begin in March and will be completed by early spring.  Site work improvements, including curbing, sidewalks, paving, lighting and landscaping are scheduled to begin this spring and will continue through late fall 2012.   Pedestrian and vehicular improvements along North Main Street and Albany Ave are also scheduled to commence this spring and continue through late fall 2012.

For further updates on the revitalization of Bishops Corner Shopping Plaza, follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bishopscorner or on Twitter @BishopsCorner.

About EDENS:

EDENS develops, owns and operates neighborhood shopping centers in primary markets throughout the East Coast.  Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the Company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of 124 retail centers.  EDENS has Regional Headquarters in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami and Columbia, SC.  For additional information about the Company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edens.com.

SOURCE EDENS