Greece, N.Y. – The first major redevelopment in nearly two decades will soon be underway in the Mall at Greece Ridge.
The Bon-Ton’s site will make way for new restaurants. In 2011, Bon-Ton announced plans to leave the Rochester area and has since sold its Greece site to mall owner, Wilmorite.
Red Robin is expected to be one of the restaurants.
Tuesday, Wilmorite announced plans to demolish the Bon-Ton and redevelop the parcel into four to five restaurants and outdoor streetscape and courtyard.
“Wilmorite has several restaurants lined-up for the space and will announce those as soon as the leases are executed,” the company said in a statement.
The announcement was given outside of the Bon-Ton wing and was open to other store representatives and shoppers.
“I think it’s fabulous for the town of Greece, expand the tax base, make this end of the mall a bit more viable,” said Edward Gartz, a Greece resident who examined some of the drawings.
Wilmorite says the project will cost $12- to $14-million and will be largely privately funded, though the company will apply for incentives with the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency.
Right now, Bon-Ton employs 66 people according to the mall.
Wilmorite said the project will employ 100 construction workers and up to 230 people in its new stores.
Wednesday, mall officials are expected to present their ideas to the Town of Greece planning board.
Wilmorite will demolish the Bon-Ton store in April.
