Harris Teeter construction finally underway in North Durham

If you just based your expectations on the initial press release from Harris Teeter, shoppers in North Durham would already be shopping at a modern, well-lit, well-stocked supermarket on the site of the old Willowdaile movie theater on Horton Road.

Of course, as we all know, that hasn't exactly come true, and until very recently the old moview theater site and its parking lot, located behind the donut shop and Napa Auto Parts at Guess and Horton has sat vacant. And instead, the nearest HT has remained a small, dimly-illuminated convenience-store version of the popular North Carolina grocer, instead of a modern, larger store such as that on MLK Jr. Parkway by the old South Square.

Well, things seem to finally be moving forward. Big earth-moving equipment is on site ripping up asphalt and starting site preparation work, so it looks like nearby residents will be able to actually see the new supermarket going up soon.

As we talked about here earlier this month, there apparently remains interest from the grocery chain in a location at Hillandale Rd. & Front St. just to the south, assuming the NCDOT's widening of Hillandale north of I-85 includes decent access for the shopping center. An official close to the widening project noted on Monday that the full-median design DOT presented in a December public meeting at NCSSM was in fact very likely all along to have that sort of access, with the state looking for input from the public on precisely what kind of turns and signalization were desired. (One could imagine, say, a left turn lane from northbound Hillandale onto Front St. as well as direct access to the old Loehmann's Plaza site.)

Comments

[Dan S.]

I'm curious as to whether the developer has any plans to build a shelter for the bus stop in front of Willowdale? I would expect an increase in bus travelers once the new Teeter opens -- it was sad enough to drive by and see people forced to huddle under the cover of overgrown bushes, with only a large boulder to use as a seat, but now those are gone, too.

[Michael Bacon]

I guess I have to differ that the opening of yet another 55k+ square foot grocery store is a sign of progress. I understand wanting one that's well-lit, well stocked, with nice display cases and good coolers and freezers, but I've basically quit going to the Kroger's on Hillsborough Rd. because the damned thing is too big.

[Toby]

Thanks for the cross-street("Hillandale Rd. & Front St.")! A responsive blogger is a well-liked blogger!!

[Bull City Rising]

Good question on the bus stop. Anyone know who funded the nice-looking bus shelter on E. Chapel Hill St. in front of The Oprah? Would be good to see something that attractive up there.

Michael: Personally, I'd love a smaller neighborhood grocery close to me. Back in Cambridge, we had the Broadway Marketplace right down at the end of our street. It had a coffee shop (SBUX) in the front, with the remainder of the space as a n'hood store. The folks who owned the building operated the registers and filled maybe 25% of the space with grocery staples; they leased out the rest of the area to a butcher/deli; wine shop; produce company; and bakery. Despite the multi-ownership, though, it was an integrated operation and worked well.

Failing something like that (which, oh yeah, would need to be in 5 minutes' travel time from the house), I confess to very much looking forward to sucking at the Teet.

Toby: We aim to please.

[Maria]

Thanks for posting this update! I too have been anxiously awaiting the new Harris Teeter on the Willowdale spot.

Are there any ideas about what will happen with the empty store space once the new HT is open? I would hate to see that shopping center look like the one off Churton Street in Hillsborough where Walmart left.

I am so glad I found this blog.. nice work!

[KeepDurhamDifferent!]

Man, do we need a Teeter -- ever since the one at Northgate closed we've been limited to Kroger, Costco, and as a last resort the "Food Dog" on Hillsborough (Food Lion). The Compare Foods was a welcome improvement (fantastic meat).

Despite Michael's comments on Kroger's size, it's still too small for me. Ever tried to find caffeine-free Diet Dr. Pepper? They only stock the more mainstream varieties.

[Lewis]

The East Chapel Hill Street bus shelter was funded by the city's department of transportation. As I understand it, this is the prototype for all new bus shelters.

[Michael Bacon]

David -- that can't possibly be a function of the store's size. Perhaps you could speak with the management and persuade them to swap out some of the space dedicated to kiddie pools, rugs, balloons, toys, bad greeting cards, and 375 different brands of toilet paper, to stock some everything-free Dr. Pepper.

I'm convinced I could probably move everything I own into that store and live there for a month before anyone noticed me.