'Scaled Down' Improvements Planned for Gales Ferry Shopping Center

Renovations are planned for the Gales Ferry shopping center, and a new tenant is being courted to occupy the space vacated by the Backus Hospital Health Center, according to John Barbato, real estate director for Ocean State Job Lot, which owns the property.

"We realize the need to put some TLC into the property," said Barbato, who said improvements are planned to the parking lot, lighting and facade of the shopping center. "I think you'll see some dramatic changes in the coming months."

The renovations, however, could be linked to the Rhode Island-based owner's ability to land the new tenant, Barbato said. The improvements are part of a plan that was put on hold, then scaled back after partial state funding became unavailable. 

"We'll do at least part of the renovations with the new tenant," he said, declining to name the prospective tenant until a lease is signed.

The space once occupied by Better Valu has been vacant for several years. Barbato said several economic factors played into the supermarket's decision not to renew its lease, including the prospect of the Naval Submarine Base closing in Groton, followed closely by the Wall Street financial meltdown. 

"It was sort of a perfect storm," he said, adding that two other tenants, Captain Computer and Vision World, have since left the center. "Although we did add a Chinese restaurant," he said, referring to the Golden Chopstix Restaurant. 

Barbato said finding a grocer to occupy the supermarket space remains a challenge. He said Ocean State Job Lot pursued the Big Y chain, which recently purchased several A&P stores in the region. After earnest discussions, however, "they decided we didn't fit into their program," he said. 

The relatively small size of the supermarket space – 12,000 square feet – has made it difficult to attract a grocer, Barbato said. 

"What grocers have told us is that the space is too small," he said, adding that it might be better suited to an "urban-style" food retailer. He mentioned Aldi's as the type of business that could possibly be interested.

"Have faith," he said. "We do, and we continue to appreciate that the people of Ledyard like to shop at our store."