ATTLEBORO – Substantial changes are taking shape at several commercial plazas along Route 1/Washington St. in Attleboro and North Attleborough. As many struggling retail stores shutter across the country, one Rhode Island-based developer has carved out a place in the market, leading the transformation of this commercial hub in southeastern Mass.
Retail is far from dead according to the Carpionato Group, whose footprint on Route 1 extends from Route 123 in Attleboro several miles north to the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleborough. The company is “going bigger,” said Peter Flynn, who oversees commercial leasing.
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After several years and a few landslides, Carpionato Group is putting the finishing touches on Shops at Mayfaire, a new boutique shopping plaza at the corner of May Street and Route 1 in Attleboro. Several franchise tenants opened for business this fall in the 5.2 acre commercial strip, including Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar, Smashburger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks and OrangeTheory Fitness. The plaza will be complete within the next two months, when Rumford Pet Center, Vitality Veterinary Services and Pacific Dental Services are set to join the existing tenants.
At a property adjacent to Shops at Mayfaire, Carpionato has begun construction on another new development at the intersection of Routes 123, 1 and 1A. Formerly a vacant and overgrown lot, Carpionato will develop the 5.4 acre parcel into additional retail space called Shops on Washington. Leases have already been secured for Chic-fil-A, estimated to open in December 2018, and Denny’s, estimated to open in Spring 2019.
According to Flynn, restaurants and fitness centers are the most sought-after tenants right now, but the company has had no problem finding a variety of tenants to fill its spaces.
“We don’t see retail faltering whatsoever,” said Flynn. “This has been going on for years: a store closes and a new concept comes in to replace it. Ecommerce will have an effect on the industry, but people still need brick and mortar.”
Further up Route 1 into North Attleborough, Carpionato Group is also developing the former Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park across from the Emerald Square Mall into retail. Shops at Emerald LLC purchased the 22 acre plot from Thomas and Patricia Gaudette in July 2015 for $2.36 million. Tentatively called Shops at Emerald, the new plaza will be home to Jared Galleria of Jewelry, and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in late 2018.
“We need to breathe new life into some of the retail on Route 1,” said Flynn.
In addition to its new developments along Route 1, Carpionato Group is making improvements to some of its existing properties, including $7 million in upgrades to the retail façades of South Attleboro Square, the plaza that includes BJ’s Wholesale Club, Staples, Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx and Petco. The company is working to merge South Attleboro Square with Mayfaire Center, anchored by Stop & Shop, to create one, 441,041 square foot super center connected by a new access road.
“Alfred Carpionato, the owner of Carpionato Group takes a lot of pride in his portfolio of properties. He spares no expense on beautifying his centers, which is a win-win for both the retailers and the towns, where he has created much-needed jobs and tax revenues,” said Flynn, who estimates that the company has created the opportunity for hundreds of new jobs in the area with its developments.
Nicole Dotzenrod is the PBN researcher. She can be reached via email at research@PBN.com or you can follow her on Twitter.
