Coffee shop tenant revealed

Starbucks to relocate to former Half Price Books store at Heisley Pointe Plaza

It appears that Starbucks is the coffee shop that will fill the drive-through spot created in the former Half Price Books store in Mentor.

Leasing information on the Goodman Real Estate Services website indicates that the chain will be the anchor tenant in the 8,000-square-foot building fronting Heisley Pointe Plaza, 9383 Mentor Ave.

Target for opening is second quarter of 2019. Starbucks will relocate from 9372 Mentor Ave. across the street.

Bob Brandon, co-owner of the building in which the existing Starbucks is located, said he hadn’t heard from the company about the plan.

“I did see a marketing flier identifying Starbucks in the end unit,” he said.

He noted that there is a lot of interest in his high-profile property.

“It’s a great corner with abundant exposure, so we are excited to bring a new tenant to Mentor.” — Attribution goes here and here for a couple of lines and finishes here

“It’s a great corner with abundant exposure, so we are excited to bring a new tenant to Mentor,” he said.

When the project first was submitted in December, plans involved a coffee shop occupying 2,200 square feet at the western end of the building, and that up to four retail spaces could be created.

A drive-through was approved in February. A conditional-use permit to allow outdoor dining and drinking was dismissed

without prejudice at the applicant’s request.

Project representatives then sought a lot split between the front building and the plaza behind.

“The lot split is being done to proportionately allocate value between the two buildings since the outlot building will be undergoing significant improvements,” Property Manager Robyn Liberatore said.

She previously said that the project was intended to attract an occupant that would generate more traffic — and tenants — for the rest of the plaza.

Initially, the proposed

hours of the anchor tenant were to be 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 5 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and Sundays. The store would have four to six employees per shift.

Mentor Economic & Community Development Director Ronald M. Traub said the change will add a bit to area residents’ quality of life.

“Motorists like convenience, whether it’s picking up a burger and fries, ice cream or coffee,” he said.

Attempts to reach Goodman and Starbucks representatives for comment were unsuccessful.