Gainesville shopping center almost complete

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: May 14, 2008

Construction work is nearing completion on The Shops at Stonewall shopping center that will be anchored by Wegmans supermarket.

Regency Centers, a national owner, operator and developer of grocery-anchored and community centers, is building the shopping center at Lee Highway (Va. 29) and Old Carolina Road in Gainesville.

Regency originally closed on the acquisition of 36.9 acres of land in May 2007 with plans for a 317,076-square-foot community shopping center that included a 140,000 square-foot Wegmans.

According to Don Stedham, Regency Centers vice president of investments, the company has been most impressed with Wegmans’ quality and pace of construction.

“Wegmans’ iconic tower was erected several weeks ago and the grocer has already begun to complete the store’s interior,” said Stedham. “We’re equally as proud to host several of the area’s finest retailers and service providers at the shopping center, including The Athlete’s Foot, Escape Salon and Day Spa and SunTrust Bank.

“When completed, the center will host 27 stores, restaurants, banks and shops comprising more than 318,000 square feet. We are pleased that over the past year, Regency Centers has fostered close to 1,000 jobs for local design and construction professionals, just to name a few,” Stedham said.

In addition to Wegmans, center will include brand-name merchants such as Staples, Michaels, Ross, Dress for Less and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

“We continue to develop and expand our presence in Virginia with quality shopping centers such as The Shops at Stonewall. We are very fortunate to be involved with the Lake Manassas community and to have been able to assemble such an attractive lineup of retailers,” he said.

The company recently closed on a 0.4 acre parcel adjacent to the center which will allow the firm to significantly enhance the curbside presentation of the facility.

Since 2000, Regency has developed 189 shopping centers, including those currently in-process, representing an investment at completion of nearly $3 billion.

Michael Dempsey, Wegmans manager, said the chain is conducting open employee interviews all this week at 7500 Iron Bar Lane, Suite 221, Gainesville.

Dempsey said anyone interested in working for the company can call 571-222-7117 for more information. He said more than 3,000 people applied for positions before a recent store opening.

Founded in 1916 by the Wegman family in Rochester, N.Y., Wegmans has become one of the largest privately owned companies in the U.S., and is slated to open a store in Woodbridge on June 8.

Due to its innovative and state-of-the-art services and atmosphere, the business has flourished and has been able to maintain a wide customer base. Market cafes, in-store dining and cappuccino bars make grocery shopping an experience while children’s areas make it less of chore. Endless selection, wide aisles and attention to detail also set Wegmans apart. The chain currently operates more than 70 stores in the Northeast, and is planning to open stores in suburban Boston for its first foray into New England.

The company is still led by the Wegman family — CEO Danny Wegman and his two daughters, Colleen and Nicole. Their employee-first philosophy has put the company on Fortune magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” each year it has been published. The company was ranked number three in 2008, the 11th year on the list.

The Stonewall Wegmans store plans to open this fall.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.