GREECE, N.Y. — Busier days lie ahead for what is a mostly vacant spot in Greece. Many improvements are underway at the Elm Ridge Center along West Ridge Road. A new place owner is making much-needed updates and new businesses are already setting up shop.
“Right now we’re paving the entire parking lot from Walmart all the way to the old Sam’s Club,” Michael Tandoi said.
Tandoi Asphalt and Spallina Materials work together to pave 1 million square feet of parking. Potholes and bumpy pavement have been a problem since Sam’s Club closed in 2018.
“Over the next couple of weeks, you will see a significant difference from the road,” Jay Wegman said.
Wegman Companies Inc. purchased Elm Ridge Center out of foreclosure. Jay Wegman and Corrine Nicholas, the project coordinator, discussed the future of the 350,000-square-foot plaza, much of which has sat vacant for years. After Sam’s Club, Office Max left in 2019.
“We are a local family,” said Jay Wegman, vice president of operations at Wegman Companies. “Our family invested body and soul into it. We pass there every day. So it’s not just a business. It’s also a hobby, and it’s one of our passions to bring this corner of Greece back to life and see it prosper and we want to enjoy it with everyone.
Wegman Companies has big plans for Elm Ridge Center with new facades, sidewalk windows and a new digital entrance sign. They have already reserved 60% of the center. It’s a mix of national and local tenants. It’s not just about shopping.
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“It just shows the thought and detail that’s going to go into the place,” said Corrine Nicholas, Wegman Companies project coordinator. “It’s about revitalization and we’re very excited about it.”
The courtyard will house a number of restaurants, a pub, a deli, a smoothie shop and a bakery. A medical products manufacturing company will occupy the former Sam’s Club space. Cheer Athletics opened earlier this year.
“We took a gamble on buying the place,” Wegman said. “We knew it was a gamble, but again, our vision as developers is, if we’re not building new, we want to bring it back to life and that’s the goal here.”
Wegman Companies expects 90% of Elm Ridge Center to be open by early fall.
The following stores are already on the square and more are on the way:
- Treasure Depository
- Empire Beauty School
- Refresh
- Elite Retail
- Fitness Bar
- Paneffort
- Encourage athletics
- Supercups
- Goods galore
- Professional nails
- The Wright braid
- Mattresses by appointment
