THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510270210
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
SUFFOLK PLAZA, THE city's oldest shopping center, has gained new life in recent months.
National Furniture and Mattress Co. moved into the former Montgomery Ward, which had sat empty for seven years.
Dollar General Stores relocated from Suffolk West shopping center to a larger space, previously occupied by a drug store.
Chanello's Pizza is preparing to open in the former Pizza Hut restaurant.
Ron Rowe, vice president of S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., said businesses also are considering leasing the five remaining vacancies.
The sudden draw to the Main Street center - which has seen decline as new shopping areas opened - is thought to be related to its accessibility to downtown, interstate highways and the bypass.
The center was built in 1969, on the site of a former former landfill. Much development has taken place on Main Street since then.
``It's been a good center in terms of location,'' Rowe said. ``But now there's the Suffolk Shopping Center and Wal-Mart close by. That area is the hub of retail activity. The proof in the pudding is all the construction that has gone on in that area for the past few years.''
Thomas Hazelwood, Suffolk commissioner of revenue, said 16 new businesses have opened from 715 to 1800 North Main Street since 1994. In 1995, they paid $14,075 in business license taxes alone. They sold merchandise worth $7.3 million, he said.
The 58 businesses in the area generated $96 million in sales. The city received a total of $191,000 in license taxes.
``In that one area, there's more happening than in any one part of the city,'' Hazelwood said.
Donna Sawyer, manager of the new Dollar General, said she has already seen a 50 percent increase in customer traffic since the store moved.
``It's a much better location,'' Sawyer said. Here we have Big Lots, the new furniture store and a host of other businesses just right down the road.''
Ken Smith, southeastern district manager for Dollar General, said: ``It just didn't make any sense to stay around.'' Rite Aid is expected to move from Suffolk West to a new building on Main Street.
Rowe said rates at Suffolk Plaza are comparable with other retail market rates - from $9 to $18 per square foot, depending on the facility and location.
Richard Commons, manager of Big Lots, said Suffolk Plaza ``has been a slow shopping center,'' but he said there has been an 8 percent increase in business in the past month.
``It's hard to say if that's because of Halloween or because of Dollar General,'' he said.
Carla Williams, an accountant for National Furniture in Portsmouth, said the center is ideal. ``We always look for old buildings, never anything new,'' she said. ``It's one of many ways we keep our prices down for the customer.''
A cloth banner stretched across the front of the store announces the store, and National Furniture's nine Virginia stores operate without air conditioning or central heat. Delivery also costs extra.
``We work by fans, space heaters and overcoats,'' said Glen Beaudin, manager of the Suffolk store. ``And the customers never complain.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Glen Beaudin will manage the new National Furniture and Mattress
Co.
by CNB