FILE PHOTO
By Leah Dearborn
SWAMPSCOTT — The pieces are falling into place for renovations at Swampscott Mall in Vinnin Square.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a request by real estate firm Centercorp Retail Properties for special permits to redevelop the current Walgreens building at 450 Paradise Road into four retail spaces and a drive-in.
“This mall has been an absolute work in progress. It shows what you can do over time with local ownership,” said attorney William DiMento in representation of Centercorp.
Peter Kane, community development director, has previously said that Walgreens plans to move across Route 1A later this year to the space beside Boston Market at 505 Paradise Road.
The movement of the Walgreens will begin the reconfiguration of the 160,000-square-foot shopping mall’s parking lot. The reconfiguration is designed to make parking more streamlined and efficient and to enhance pedestrian connectivity between businesses, said David Kelly of Kelly Engineering Group, Inc.
Both the nearby Bank of America walk-up ATM and Citizens Bank will receive drive-in ATMs following the redevelopment.
The move will also create outdoor seating for Bertucci’s and one of the new tenants replacing the current Walgreens’ site.
Andrew Rose, co-owner of Centercorp, said the four prospective tenants include a European wax spa, a fitness business and two restaurants.
In other news, Gourmet Fusion, Inc. were awarded several special permits by the board for parking, signs and loading requirements to operate a full service sit-down restaurant of 68 seats in the former Cheeburger Cheeburger space.
The applicants want to provide alcohol and food service at an upscale Asian restaurant, said attorney Jon Aieta in representation of Gene Nigrelli and Ricky Huang, owner of Gourmet Garden in Swampscott.
“What they’re looking to do is build off of what is there,” said Aieta about the project, which he said only requires cosmetic changes to the structure.
The prospective restaurateurs will need to pursue additional permits through the Board of Selectmen before opening.