Two additional commercial projects just became part of Richmond Highway's revitalization efforts. Chili's Restaurant and Commerce Bank will replace two motels now situated across Dawn Drive from Groveton Baptist Church.
Kicking off of the regular monthly meeting of the Spring Bank Community Association (SBCA) Monday night at Groveton Baptist Church, David Dale, president, announced that the two adjacent motel properties had been purchased by Archon Corporation. It also owns the Kings Crossing property now home to Michaels and Chuck E Cheese.
"Chili's is a by-right conversion but we will need to get a special exception for Commerce Bank," said David Paul, local director of the Dallas, Texas-based Archon.
Chili's will be situated on the corner of Dawn Drive and Route 1, across Dawn Drive from Groveton Baptist Church. Commerce Bank will be located immediately to the south of Chili's on the adjoining property.
"We have spent the past 18 months looking at a variety of sites. I have been working with Archon and am very pleased with this site," said Tony Mathena, real estate development for Chili's.
"Parking is the single biggest obstacle we face when searching for a site," Mathena said. The Route 1 location will have parking for 122 vehicles to accommodate a seating capacity of 225, according to Mathena.
Operating hours for the restaurant will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. They hope to employ a staff of between 60 and 70 people.
Commerce Bank, based in the Northeast, has 350 branches located primarily in the Philadelphia/New York City corridor, according to Frederick R. Taylor, Esq., representing the financial institution.
"This will be a drive through bank open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday," he said. They will also serve customers on Saturdays and Sundays until 4 p.m.
"Probably the best description of Commerce Bank is that our hours suit our customers, not our employees," Taylor said. The bank is planned for 4,100 square feet.
Both enterprises planned to be operative by spring 2006 with construction commencing this fall, according to Paul. "Commerce Bank has filed with county planning and Chili's plans to file within the next week," Paul said.
"If all goes through, that stretch of Richmond Highway will contain Groveton Baptist Church, Chili's, Commerce Bank, Del Ray Glass, and Metrocall," said Dale. Those in attendance were supportive of the proposed additions, including a representative of Groveton Baptist Church.