Grab a map. You might need it to keep up with the latest retail moves in the metro-east.
Let’s start with the most talked about move from last week.
One of the busiest shopping complexes in the metro-east has vacancies now that two family-owned businesses have moved out.
The Computer Room and Paintball Outfitterz recently moved from Green Mount Crossing Plaza in Shiloh to Frank Scott Plaza in Swansea.
This is the second time the businesses have moved together. They were neighbors in Fairview Heights, then when construction was completed at Green Mount Plaza they were some of the first tenants to move in 10 years ago.
“We’ve been family friends for years,” said Kara Pritchard, owner of the Computer Room. “When you’re small business owners, you kind of get to know each other.”
The two keep each other in the loop, and when it came time to renew their leases, both decided moving out of the larger shopping complex was a good idea.
Green Mount Crossing is anchored by Target, World Market, Dierbergs and other national retailers.
Cheaper rent was a big incentive for Joe Scharf, owner of Paintball Outfitterz, who said he isn’t worried about customers being able to find him. Their new location is a few miles down the road from the old one.
Pritchard said the change also gives them a chance to work with another small business owner.
Frank Scott Plaza is smaller in scale with a lineup of businesses. A uniform store, martial arts studio and church administrative offices occupy the strip mall that was the former home of Wee Peats Kids resale shop.
“At the end of the day, we’re in business to take care of people,” Pritchard said. “We believe we’ll be able to do that better at the smaller complex.”
The Computer Room is located in suite 4 at 208 Frank Scott Parkway E. Paintball Outfitterz moved into suite 5.
Belleville’s Verizon store is moving to a new location
The Verizon store at 1624 Carlyle Ave. in Belleville expects move into a new shopping complex by next month.
The cellphone retailer has confirmed that it expects to move to 1915 Carlyle Ave. by the end of October. Its new location is next to the recently opened Bank of America Financial Center at 1911 Carlyle Ave.
Athletico Physical Therapy has already opened at the new construction strip mall where Verizon will open in November. The physical therapy chain has eight locations in Southern Illinois.
Athletico will share a wall with Mystic Vapes, according to Danny Wapelhorst, a broker with Cissell Mueller Company LLC.
The locally-owned business established by two sisters, Jodee Barks and Jill Yates, sells electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, e-liquids and juices. An opening date for the store was not immediately available.
A fourth space in the shopping complex is available for rent.
Dewey’s Pizza will open next month in O’Fallon
Looking for a new restaurant to try? Dewey’s Pizza is wrapping up construction at its second location in the metro-east.
The Ohio-based company expects to open its newest location in O’Fallon on Nov. 14. Located at 425 Regency Park, Dewey’s is next door to the Italian restaurant Bella Milano, in a recently developed area where a five-story Marriott Hotel is also under construction.
The hotel will be built directly behind Bella Milano and could open by the end of the year, according to city officials.
What’s on the menu at Dewey’s?
You can keep it simple with classic toppings or you can go for a specialty pizza.
From Southwest BBQ Chicken to meatball pizza to a goat cheese and artichokes pie known as the Green Lantern, the restaurant has a wide range of flavors on the menu.
How much does it cost? It depends on how many people you’re trying to feed. Specialty pies range from $15 to $20 on average.
You might save some dough if you keep it simple and only add a few toppings.
The restaurant offers seasonal salads, too.
The current seasonal salad is a harvest salad, with figs, pumpkin seeds, bacon and apple cider honey vinaigrette. Dewey’s also features a different list of local and craft beers at each location, along with specially selected wines.
What about the location?
The O’Fallon location is the 25th Dewey’s Pizza. The first Dewey’s Pizza opened in 1998 in Oakley in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The chain also has locations in Edwardsville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus.
Do they deliver?
Dewey’s does offer pick-up, but no delivery or online ordering.
Do you have a tip? Send me an email at canthony@bnd.com. Of course, I’m available to chat on Twitter @CaraRAnthony, and if you really want to go old school, call me on my landline at 618-239-2471.
This story was originally published October 08, 2017 3:45 AM.