Here Is What Is Planned For The Stew Leonard Property In Orange

ORANGE, CT — For residents in Orange and beyond who were holding out hope that one day Stew Leonard's would open his popular grocery store at 161 Marsh Hill Road well we have some bad news for you. It looks like a new development is now planned for the site.

The New Haven Register reports that Scannell Properties LLC is planning to construct a "40,000-square-foot service/distribution center with a fueling facility" there. The proposal is being considered by the town's land-use boards.

In case you're not familiar with the saga of the Stew Leonard's property in Orange, here goes. For nearly 15 years Stew Leonard Jr. tried to get his store approved in Orange but a group of concerned residents filed various legal motions that kept the store's future tied up in the courts.

About eight years ago it seemed Leonard was about to claim victory as he won town approval and a court decision but at the last minute an appeal was granted to residents opposing the project and Leonard decided to throw in the towel on his plans. During the legal battle with residents Leonard even quipped once that he put the store in his will and would never stop trying to get it built in Orange.

Leonard reversed course saying that the legal fees were becoming plentiful and it was apparent the concerned residents called Save Our Neighborhood would keep using legal maneuvers to prevent the store from proceeding. Leonard turned his attention to expanding elsewhere outside of Connecticut including Long Island.

>>>Read the full New Haven Register story here.