ONTARIO – A new strip mall planned for the site of the former Ocean Buffet in Ontario will feature a Five Guys, according to Matt Worthley of Thomas English Retail Real Estate.
“That lease is done and signed,” Worthley said Thursday afternoon.
He hopes to start construction at 994 Lexington-Springmill Rd. within 90 days and have the newly constructed 11,232 square-foot strip mall, called Lexington Pointe, completed by the first or second quarter of 2019. The former Ocean Buffet building will be torn down.
Two other potential tenants, Worthley said, will soon be finalized, which will get the strip mall 50-percent filled. The space will probably accommodate likely six tenants.
Third Ward councilman and chair of the economic development committee, Mark Weidemyre has been hoping to attract a Five Guys for a long time.
“That’s one of the big ones everyone wants,” he said. “I think it’s going to be great.”
He has been informed four potential tenants with three of them, including Five Guys described to him as “locked down.” The others include Sleep Number, Sport Clips and Panda Express.
The future strip mall’s owner is listed as Eden Court Capital LLC of Indianapolis, Indiana, according to an application filed with the Richland County Codes and Permits Office. The application was received Aug. 2.
The addition of a Five Guys restaurant to the area has long been a desire of local residents. In fact, a social media campaign was started in November 2013 in an effort to bring the restaurant to the area.
According to the Five Guys website, the nearest location to the Mansfield area is in Wooster.
The menu features burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, fries and milkshakes.
