Chick-fil-A to occupy, lease out former Smart & Final site

 

The site originally intended for a Smart and Final store has sat vacant for more than three years. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

There’s nothing going on with the No. 1 blight in Menifee, but at least City officials have confirmed some progress concerning blight No. 2.

A few hundred yards from the faded walls of the Krikorian theater and retail property lies the shell of what would’ve been a Smart and Final store. That deal fell through more than three years ago and, like the Krikorian property, resulted in a lawsuit. Only in this case, the property was foreclosed upon and became available.

City officials announced this week that the property will be purchased by Chick-fil-A, which will build its restaurant on part of the property -- with the current building to be a split parcel occupied by as-yet unnamed businesses. A public hearing regarding a change in the plans for that property will be held Sept. 14 during the Menifee Planning Commission.

Only the incomplete Krikorian project has drawn more criticism from residents than the former Smart and Final property, which sits behind Applebee’s in the Newport Towne Square on Newport Road, with the back of the property bordering the Haun Road loop. Although the building intended for Smart and Final appears nearly finished, the weed-strewn unfinished parking lot and surrounding fencing is considered an eyesore by many.

Ironically, that property sits almost directly across the street from Menifee City Hall, where officials have struggled for years with the unsightly parcels in Newport Towne Square and Menifee Town Center across Newport Road.

After a series of lawsuits were filed by subcontractors against the developer, PRP Menifee, claiming nonpayment for services, the property went into foreclosure. Triple Net Financial, a special purpose finance company based in Texas, retained ownership at that time.

“We are very excited that Chick-fil-A has purchased the entire property and has plans to build a restaurant onsite and parcel split the other building out to a new owner,” said Phil Southard, public information officer for the City of Menifee. “Chick-fil-A has invested in the city, largely to land a site here after years of searching and trying, and ultimately they have assisted with cleaning up blight left over from another private developer.”

The Chick-fil-A will have a double-lane drive through on a 97,045-square-foot site that will include 86 parking spaces and eight bicycle spaces, according to City documents. Southard said it is likely that the primary occupant of the original building will be a medical facility.

Chick-fil-A issued the following statement:

“While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is happy to share that we are actively pursuing our first location in the City of Menifee, Calif. We look forward to working through the approval process and are excited by the prospect of joining this community. We hope to have the opportunity to serve new guests delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality.”

Smart and Final remains interested in coming to Menifee and is currently looking at other potential sites, Southard said.

The Planning Commission meeting will start at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 at City Hall, located at 29844 Haun Road.