Paul Bass Photo
60 Whalley now.
60 Whalley, next?
The owner of a regional athletic-wear chain is seeking zoning relief to open a store in the former Rite Aid at Whalley Avenue and Dwight Street.
Richard Seaman, owner of the Eblens “urban clothing and footwear” chain, and his attorney, Rolan Young Smith, attended a Dwight Central Management Team meeting last week to present the project to the community. They have submitted a plan to the Board of Zoning Appeals seeking two zoning exceptions for the 7,800 square-foot space, one to change the property use and the other to change the number of parking spaces required by code.
Eblens sells athletic wear aimed at consumers between ages 12 and 35.
Outdated zoning regulations requires the business to be used by an automotive company and for the building to have 54 parking spaces, Smith said. Rite Aid received permission to change the use to retail and to decrease the number of parking spaces to 35.
Eblens is seeking the same exceptions as Rite Aid had, she said.
At the Dwight management team meeting, Seaman reassured members that the store plans to hire people from New Haven and then promote from within the store.
Matthew Short, manager of Chelsea Company Apartments, expressed concern that the store’s arrival would increase traffic jams in the area. Seaman resonded that the store mainly brings in foot traffic, based on business at the other 38 Eblens locations.
Short said later that he was not necessarily satisfied with the answer, but he would not speak out against the company moving to New Haven.
No business has moved in to the target space since Rite Aid closed at 60 Whalley Ave. in 2009.
Aliyya Swaby Photo
Seaman (center) and associates present to Dwight neighbors.
"Matthew Short, manager of Chelsea Company Apartments, expressed concern that the store's arrival would increase traffic jams in the area."
OH FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
Was he thrilled when the Rite Aid closed? How would a shoe store be any different? Do these people WANT to live in a dead zone surrounded by boarded-up buildings, to avoid ever having to wait past one change of the light in order to make a left turn?