Yet another upscale grocery has announced plans to land in Corvallis.
Market of Choice has committed to take over the soon-to-be-renovated Rite-Aid building at Ninth Street and Circle Boulevard.
"Market of Choice signed a lease a while ago, so they will be the grocery in the building," said Darren Dickerhoof, who, with his brother Matt, is redeveloping the site, known as Corvallis Crossing.
Dickerhoof Development received permits from the city last week to begin demolition of the building's exterior, though that work won't begin for a while.
"It'll probably be late November before anyone notices anything going on," Dickerhoof said.
First, the inside of the structure will be gutted and rebuilt to make way for interior renovations for the new grocery store. Market of Choice operates seven stores in Eugene, Portland, West Linn and Ashland.
People are also reading…
The area already has Safeway to the east and Richey's Market immediately to the west. Trader Joe's announced plans in July to open a store a few blocks to the south at Corvallis Market Center at 1500 N.W. Ninth St.
Dickerhoof said Richey's Market should remain in operation at least until late into 2010. The two groceries are working out details of a transition, which will likely include Market of Choice purchasing Richey's and closing the store.
The new Rite-Aid building is now complete and has been transferred to Rite-Aid. The company has begun stocking its new location and should open its doors early in October.
Plans for Corvallis Crossing include revamping the 1960s-era Rite Aid store into an updated brick, stone and stucco facade and making room for a handful of other retail shops.
The design calls for outdoor plazas, landscaping strips along the street frontage and 12-foot sidewalks through the parking area. The number of parking spaces will be reduced from 275 to 175, and two of the four driveways on Ninth and Circle will be closed.
The Dickerhoofs purchased the Rite Aid building and adjoining parking lot in 2007 and later acquired the rest of the Circle Nine property. They have so far invested close to $500,000 in the 150,000 square-foot retail complex and have attracted a full set of tenants.
Matt Neznanski can be reached at 758-9518 or matt.neznanski@lee.net
