Mystery Over Who Will Take Over Stew Leonard Property Solved

ORANGE, CT — The mystery of which company plans to redevelop the Stew Leonard-owned property on Marsh Hill Road has been a closely guarded secret until now.

The Orange Times newspaper is reporting exclusively that a FedEx distribution facility will be the new tenant. The FedEx facility is currently located in nearby Milford and would relocate there, sources say.

FedEx plans to construct a nearly 50,000-square-foot distribution center and a 10,000-square-foot maintenance building. The project received town approval.

The 40-acre plus site is famous because for more than 15 years Stew Leonard Jr. battled unsuccessfully to build his popular dairy store there. But a group of concerned neighbors called Save Our Neighborhood opposed the project and filed numerous legal appeals to the project.

It appeared at one point that Leonard would get his wish after receiving final town approval but a last-minute surprise court ruling in favor of SON led Leonard to give up on the project and focus on expansion in Long Island and other areas.

Leonard at one time famously said that it was in his will that the Orange store would be built.

>>>For more details on the Stew Leonard site, read the full Orange Times story here.