ATHOL — Business is booming at North Quabbin Commons as an expanding restaurant chain has signed on to build in the shopping center off Exit 18 along Route 2.
Shaun A. Suhoski, Athol town manager, said 110 Grill has joined Hobby Lobby, PetSmart and the impending eight-screen Athol Cinemas among the newest businesses slated for the center. Suhoski said this is a sign of strength for the North Quabbin Commons project’s second phase, which aims to establish 136,000 square feet of retail and entertainment in the commons.
According to its website, 110 Grill has locations in Nashua and Rochester, N.H., and Chelmsford, Berlin, Hopkinton, Wayland and Leominster. A Braintree location is set to open this month and one in Haverhill is slated to debut in August.
Steve Cuccinatti, a leasing representative for RMD Inc., the property management company that handles the leasing for DeMoulas Super Markets Inc., which owns the shopping center, has for more than a year expressed a desire for a restaurant to move into the commons.
Suhoski also said a gas station-convenience store and a Wendy’s restaurant are nearing final design in a spot off Exit 18.
“All of these build momentum and will help provide the critical mass and service amenities that we believe will lure a quality hotel and conference center for the region,” Suhoski said.
The commons already hosts a slew of other companies, including Marshalls, Starbucks, Great Clips and Sally Beauty. There is also a 2,000-square-foot Workers Credit Union location, and construction of a medical care facility — named Tully Family Medicine and Heywood Urgent Care — is nearing completion. The movie theater will be owned by Belmont Capital, a private operator that runs theaters throughout New England.
Suhoski said his office is working with the Selectboard, town staff members and the Athol Economic Development Industrial Corp. to foster a municipal environment that welcomes responsible investment. He also said the town is collaborating with Athol Hospital and Mr. Mike’s Market to stimulate improvement along Main Street, and is working with the L.P. Athol Corp. “to lay the groundwork for a renovation of the Union Twist Mill in the coming two years.”
“The future looks promising, but, we must lay the groundwork now for those that will follow,” Suhoski said.
Reach Domenic Poli at:
dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 258.