Arroway Chevrolet Opens in Mt. Kisco

The floor is still drying and the computers have glitches, but the showroom is open at the new Arroway Chevrolet on Preston Way in Mount Kisco. 

Today is a "soft" opening but the sales and service departments are fully staffed, said owner Lou Roberti, standing next the lone car displayed, a white 2010 Camaro SLP. 

"We can't yet turn cars around on the wet floor, but more will be coming," he explained.

Roberti will move the Chevrolet inventory from Katonah to the new location, where he'll also sell Cadillacs.  The Katonah site will sell Saabs and Hummers, and serve as a satellite storage facility, he said.

"I loved it in Katonah but we just outgrew it," said Roberti.  "We should do well here, with more parking, and proximity to the shops across the street."  The dealership is located across from Target and the A&P Fresh.

Roberti said that after the inventory at the Katonah location dwindles, he expects to put the property up for sale.  An offer from CVS last summer fell through following a zoning change that precluded the pharmacy from operating there, according to Roberti.

"I understand, people don't want national chains in downtown Katonah, but it could have raised taxes on the site," said Roberti. 

The zoning was changed in 2009 to prevent "big box" stores from opening in Katonah, according to Town of Bedford planning board officials.  New rules permit buildings of less than 8,000 square feet.  CVS required 19,000 square feet.

Local developers, when reached for comment, speculated that that the property had potential to support 2-3 smaller retail outlets, extending Katonah's main thoroughfare further south.  However, given the lack of sewers in Katonah, the site needs major capital investments. 

Roberti expects to spend over $1 million on additional renovations at the new Mount Kisco location, including an updated façade.  A grand opening is planned for the week of April 12.