Chester County Shopping Center Getting Major Makeover
By Justin Udo
WAYNE, Pa. (CBS) -- A Chester County shopping center is getting an $85 million makeover.
Developer Robert Whalen Jr. says when Genuardi's grocery store closed its doors at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center four years ago, the area started to rapidly decay. But he says he was not going to idly stand by and let that happen.
"We're recreating a dilapidated shopping center into something new and beautiful."
Whalen says they are doing this by improving the 30,000 square feet of retail space and building 123 new town homes.
Diane and her husband Michael own a restaurant in the mall.
She says the change is much needed, but the construction is hurting business.
"I'm excited that's it's happening instead of waiting, but it's a little difficult for us store owners to get through this during this transition, it's hurting us but I know it has to be done."
The retail redevelopment of the shopping center is slated finish up in 2016. The residential is expected to be done in fall of 2017.