Last month, former Parkrose Hardware co-owner Bryan Ableidinger announced he’s applying for a city building permit for a new 22,000 sq. ft. structure for two tenants, Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree. To make way for the new development Ableidinger plans to demolish the building next to his former concern that’s currently occupied by Good World Chinese Restaurant & Lounge at 10721 N.E. Sandy Blvd.

Mark New of New & Neville Real Estate Services walked into Ableidinger’s hardware store 18 months ago and began a conversation with Ableidinger about developing the parcel.

A bank branch for decades, this building in the heart of Parkrose at Northeast 107th and Sandy Boulevard, which is currently occupied by a Chinese restaurant, is slated for demolition to make way for a new 22,000 sq. ft. structure to house a Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree store. STAFF/2015

A bank branch for decades, this building in the heart of Parkrose at Northeast 107th and Sandy Boulevard, which is currently occupied by a Chinese restaurant, is slated for demolition to make way for a new 22,000 sq. ft. structure to house a Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree store.
STAFF/2015

After Ableidinger looked at New & Neville’s work in St. Johns redeveloping a building for an ACE Hardware store and rehabilitating two others for a Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree that face each other on Lombard Street, he was all-in with the real estate service company. “He took that model of neighborhood redevelopment, saw the Good World property, and showed up in the store one day and talked to me about it,” Ableidinger said in a phone interview. “We’re co-redeveloping that property with him.”

Ableidinger said he doesn’t know how long the approval for his building permit will take, but Good World closes Sept. 1, which is when demolition of the existing structure will begin, to be followed by site preparation for the new building.

Good World owner Wan Su said they found another location nearby for their popular restaurant, but they cannot announce where until they complete negotiations with the property owner. Su said for their customers’ convenience, they plan to stay in the area.

Parkrose Business Association President Mike Taylor said his group knows the Ableidingers are good neighbors and look forward to the development. “The board is very supportive of the project and stated our support in a letter to the city,” Taylor said in an email. “The area needs a grocery store and new quality building are good for the area.”

Parkrose Neighborhood Association Chair Annette Stanhope did not respond to requests for comment; however, Doug Cook, Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association chair—the neighborhood immediately east of Parkrose—did. “I want Parkrose revitalized too,” Cook said when told of the development. “Who doesn’t but it’s not going to be revitalized with a Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree.”

Parkrose residents Becky Seid and Melissa Ellinger Bergstrom were hoping for the more upscale Trader Joe’s to locate near their homes. “I wish it was Trader Joe’s,” Seid said on Facebook. “I wish it was a Trader Joe’s too,” Ellinger Bergstrom said, echoing Seid. “Grocery Outlet is okay, but with the amount of traffic that flows on Sandy it would seem a TJ’s could do really well and could be an attractive amenity for the neighborhood. A grocery store will be great either way, new development sounds wonderful.”

Ableidinger said if all goes as planned, groundbreaking will be this fall, with both stores opening spring 2016.

“It’s going to be really nice,” Ableidinger said. “I think it’s a great addition. I think those two going in there is really going to improve the neighborhood; there’s no grocery anywhere around there.”