Significant Movement On Filling Rite Aid Plaza Space

The vacant storefronts in the old Rite-Aid Pharmacy Plaza may not remain vacant for much longer.

According to the president of the real estate company tasked with marketing the property, steps are being taken to aggressively pursue companies looking to either locate in the vacant spaces or develop portions of the property.

_Mark Sobel of Plymouth-based 1st U.S. Realty_ said the property has plenty of potential.

"The site is 34 acres and (most of that)  is wetlands," said Sobel. "About 50,000 sq. feet of the property has been developed but there is probably about 80,000 more. Our possibilities for development are quite extensive."

1st U.S. Realty represents Stop & Shop, which owns the plaza. Recently, Stop & Shop was granted a permit by the town to erect a new sign to replace the old one at the entrance to the plaza.

Sobel met with town leaders two weeks ago to discuss the property and the types of businesses that might be well suited for the location and the town.

According to David Gay, chairman of the Economic Development Committee ideas "tossed around" included medical supply companies, entertainment venues in the vein of "Dave and Buster's", "Chunky's" or another type of small theater.

"Medical services would be a perfect fit for this community," said Sobel.

Also in attendance at the meeting were __ __ and Board of Selectmen Chairman Todd Johnson.

Sobel said the goal was to fill the plaza vacancies (roughly a half-dozen) sooner rather than later but said there is no specific timetable and said his firm was committed to landing quality tenants that will bring multi-faceted benefits to the town.

"We're looking to pursue (both) public and economic value," said Sobel. Presently, the plaza is home to only __, __ and a __

Sobel also said he wants to hear directly from Tewksbury citizens and organizations who have ideas as to what should go into the plaza, which had been home in recent years to Blockbuster Video and Rite Aid Pharmacy.

"We are interested in hearing from all kinds of groups," he said.

Sobel can be reached by email at msobel@1stusrealty.com