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09/15/2015 12:00 AMThe long-awaited Guilford Commons shopping center will be open for the holidays according to DDR Corp, the developer for the project. A grand opening ceremony is planned for early November.
DDR Corp Vice President of Development Jim Grafmeyer announced the opening date this afternoon.
“We are proud to announce Guilford Commons’ much-anticipated grand opening event and we look forward to the shopping center providing great new retail options for Guilford-area shoppers,” he said.
The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks from the developer and local officials; light refreshments and small gifts will be available to members of the community. The event is open to the public and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The shopping center, formerly known as the Rockpile, has also announced another retailer. Charming Charlie, a women’s accessories retailer, has signed a lease to occupy 5,000 square feet of retail space.
Charming Charlie will join Commons anchor The Fresh Market and fellow retailers Bed Bath & Beyond, Ulta Beauty, Michaels, and DSW. Certain retailers are likely to conduct soft openings prior to the Grand opening in November. Dates for the soft openings will be announced in the coming weeks.
While the initial retail stores are set, there has been no mention of potential restaurants. Economic Development Coordinator Brian McGlone said residents are unlikely to hear restaurant details anytime soon.
“In the initial six stores obviously there is not a restaurant,” he said. “There is space approved for a restaurant, but it will not be a part of this initial opening. I think from a practical senses we are not going to hear anything about a restaurant until 2016.”
McGlone said that the retail stores took first priority.
“The space identified to be a future restaurant has not been constructed,” he said. “They focused on getting the construction of the primary retail stores in place and available for doing business. “
With the first stores set to open before the holidays, McGlone said he hopes the center will help boost revenue across the town.
“If they open before the holidays hopefully other businesses in town will enjoy good customer traffic and restaurants may see some additional people,” he said.