Former Showcase Cinemas Site in Milford Being Demolished

Milford Republican Town Chairman Paul Beckwith took a photo Saturday morning showing the old Showcase Cinemas movie theater is being demolished. The former theater site will one day be the future home of ShopRite, which is moving down the street from its current location.

Here is what I wrote about ShopRite’s plans in April.

By Brian McCready

ShopRite of Milford’s planned move to the former Showcase Cinemas site on Cherry Street could still be three to four years away, said Harry Garafalo, who is the store’s owner.

Garafalo attended April’s Economic Development Commission meeting, and said his store has a lease that runs another three years at its current location on Cherry Street. He said he is unaware of anyone showing interest in occupying the space prior to the end of his lease.

The revelation came as Developer John Ceruzzi Jr, of Ceruzzi Properties, appeared before the Economic Development Commission. Ceruzzi, who owns the former theater site, revealed additional details about the proposed development on Wednesday.

Besides ShopRite anchoring the former theater site, Ceruzzi said plans include a 26,000-square-foot space for one or two retailers, and a family style sit-down restaurant along the lines of a Chili’s or TGI Friday’s. He said no specific tenant has signed on as of now.

The new larger ShopRite will also include gas pumps, Ceruzzi said.

The new ShopRite will be about 20 percent larger than the current building. Ceruzzi purchased the property for $5.7 million last year from National Amusements Co.

“That store positions us to be in Milford a long-time,” Garafalo said.

Ceruzzi asked the EDC for a letter of support for the project to be sent to the Planning and Zoning Board. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 20.

Ceruzzi said feedback from town departments has mainly been positive. He said he also reached out to residential neighbors who are also supportive of plans for the site.

Another positive of the project is addressing the asphalt and concrete roadway on Cherry Street. Ceruzzi said he hopes to make Cherry Street all one uniform blacktop.

Ceruzzi said the project may be done in phases with the restaurant and 26,000-square-foot building open in the middle of 2015. The development is likely to generate a combined 70 new jobs, including 40 for ShopRite.

The five ShopRite’s owned by Garafalo employ 1,100 employees.

Photo credit Paul Beckwith