Northwood News ♦ February 2004

Update on Burnt Mills Shopping Center, Trader Joe’s

By Jacquie Bokow

At the time this issue of the Northwood News went to press, I spoke with Marc Solomon of Finmarc Management about the Burnt Mills Shopping Center (BMSC).

“We’re hoping that the lease is ready to be signed with Trader Joe’s,” he said.  He expected the final lease would be signed about the first of February.

Earlier in January, I relayed to Solomon the responses I received from neighborhood residents about what they’d like to see at BMSC.  I reiterated that there is huge excitement in the community over the prospect of a Trader Joe’s going in, which is our number one request.  Other mentions included the following:

• Ice cream parlor (specifically mentioned:  Kohr Bros., Ben & Jerry’s, York Castle, Dairy Queen, Baskin & Robbins, several folks requested that it NOT be a Baskin & Robbins);
• Coffee shop (specifically mentioned:  drive-through Starbuck’s, Majorga, nonchain coffee place);
• Eatery (specifically mentioned:  “nice restaurant,” Quiznos, deli, “local breakfast place,” Baja Fresh, Corner Bakery, Chicken Out, Upper Crust, “Thai or Vietnamese restaurant, like Tara Thai”);
• Krispy Kreme;
• Fabric store;
• UPS store;
• Dollar store; and
• Ross clothing store (there is insufficient space for this one, I believe).

Other suggestions, which I passed along but which are duplicative of stores in either Woodmoor or White Oak, include:

• Bakery;
• Bagel shop;
• Drugstore; and
• Beauty shop.

I also had a call from someone who wanted to rent space for a Latino-style barbecue place.  I gave the individual the phone number for the rental agent, but have heard nothing from Solomon about this.

Other requests which will make the BMSC more user-friendly to folks in the neighborhood include:  sidewalks along Route 29 up to Southwood Drive, bike racks at the center, and a pedestrian crosswalk at the new traffic signal so folks can cut through the Northwest Branch trail.

I also told him that discussions at NFCCA meetings have yielded some definite opinions about the BMSC.  Folks are adamant that new stores at BMSC not compete with the Woodmoor Center, as we have a sense of ownership for Woodmoor and want it to succeed as well.  I also mentioned that terrific opposition might be raised to any drive-through fast food restaurants, which have been successfully opposed already in Four Corners.

“We expect to break ground in April at the latest,” said Solomon, and will be “open for business in November 2004.”   ■