Sonic coming to Stafford, on residents’ “retail wish list”

Stafford has no Wegmans grocery store, no Olive Garden restaurant, or many other restaurants and retail options found just north and south of the County.

Studies show more Stafford residents spend their hard-earned dollars at many of their favorite establishments outside the county. Stafford County officials want to change this and asked residents to bring a “retail wish list” with them to a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 at the Stafford County Government Center. They hope to get a better idea of what residents want in Stafford, and then use that information to convince potential companies to locate in Stafford.

“Stafford can definitely get a piece” said Tim George, of VantagePoint consultants, a Baltimore-based firm hired by Stafford County to help improve the county’s economic development plan. “We seek to answer the question of “who” and “how much” because when you look at the retail and restaurant expenditure numbers, a lot of money is being spend outside the county.”

Longtime retail magnets Central Park in Fredericksburg, and shopping centers like Potomac Mills and Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge continue to grow and attract new business.

But that hasn’t stopped Stafford County residents from wanting more shopping choices. Here are some of the responses we received today via Twitter:

@PotomacLocal @staffordvagov Golds Gym, Olive Garden, and maybe a Wegmans. Would be nice in N. Stafford.

— Diego DeLarosa (@Diego_Raphael74) January 8, 2015

@PotomacLocal @stafffordvagov A @FedExOffice would be epic so I could stop driving to Rt.3. If u think about it, not many printing solutions

— NickZ (@nickz) January 8, 2015

@PotomacLocal @staffordvagov Golds Gym, Olive Garden, and maybe a Wegmans. Would be nice in N. Stafford.

— Diego DeLarosa (@Diego_Raphael74) January 8, 2015

@PotomacLocal dave and busters

— Michael (@MichaelBNY) January 8, 2015

There is good news for Chad Atkins who told us he wanted one thing:

@PotomacLocal@staffordvagov sonic

— Chad Atkins (@redskins10_) January 8, 2015

A Sonic will open on off Route 17 in south Stafford at 240 McWhirt Loop next to Lowes home improvement store. The drive-in restaurant chain with two nearby locations in Spotsylvania County is currently in the permitting process but should open by June, the weather permitting, said a Stafford County economic development spokeswoman.

Stafford County does have several things working in its favor, like it’s proximity to the nation’s capital, new E-ZPass Express Lanes on Interstate 95, and a good quality of life for its residents.

“The county shows good household income…and its proximity to Quantico Marine Corps Base is a strength because it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon,” said George.

Many companies keep secret their formulas for how, where, and why they locate their stores. Since there are already Wegmans stores in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge, Stafford may be able to get a “comparable” retailer, he added.

The county’s first Chipotle restaurant opened last month next to a new Verizon Wireless store. Both are two of many new stores officials said have located in the county in recent years.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors in 2010 developed a 10-point economic development plan. This latest effort will serve to update that plan and, depending upon the timing of public hearings and meeting of the county’s Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, could take two to four months to complete.