MOUNT VERNON — A Valvoline service center will replace a long-vacant eyesore at 808 Coshocton Road.
The former Friendly’s Restaurant has been vacant since 2014.
“We’re going to demolish the building and improve the site. It will have all new utilities; everything will be new there,” said Robin Peck, Valvoline’s pre-construction project manager.
“We hope to have our permit approvals by the beginning of summer, start construction in the fall, and maybe be open the spring of 2025.”
Peck said Valvoline will own the building and maintain the grounds. It will lease the property from the Charles River Realty Group in Norwood, MA.
Valvoline’s corporate team will handle operations through its Columbus market.
“They will operate it, but obviously we will hire local people,” Peck said.
She anticipates hiring three or four part-time employees and six or seven full-time.
“We’re excited to be in the community,” she said. “Our building is professionally maintained with landscaping and irrigation, so it will be attractive throughout its life.
“The only trash is the trash produced by our employees for lunches,” she continued. “Our oils, our filters, everything is recycled, which is good to know in this day and age.”
Demographics and growth attracted the service center to Mount Vernon.
“You are a growing community, and our model fits this community’s needs,” Peck said. “From a business perspective, our Columbus market does a tremendous amount of service, and we are looking for a way to expand that.
“To be in a community that’s growing, and with the tremendous growth north of Columbus and all of the other growth that will be coming your way, it just makes sense to be there to service the community.”
Service center variances
The Valvoline service center offers a variety of services, including tire rotation, oil change, and power steering and transmission service.
Parking is for employees only. The company services all vehicles inside the store.
“The noise is minimal: an occasional ding of a service bell to let our crew know they have a guest in line,” Peck said.
Mount Vernon’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted the company a parking variance on March 7. It reduced the number of parking spaces from 13 to 11 (10 regular and one handicapped).
The BZA said the company warrants the variance because it is a service center rather than a repair shop.
The BZA also granted setback and Dumpster variances.