New business to take chance at Agawam Shoppes

Date: 3/31/2010

March 31, 2010.

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



AGAWAM -- Only time will tell if Home Source Warehouse (HSW) has what it takes to stay open for business as the latest tenant in Agawam Shoppes, formally the Food Mart Plaza.

Mayor Richard Cohen announced last week the discount department store will occupy 35,000 square feet of the plaza, previously occupied by Steve & Barry's clothing store. The store will feature furniture, home goods, electronics and clothing.

"I am thrilled to make this announcement," he said. "Not only does it mean that we can finally see some much-needed traffic in the plaza, but it also bodes well for Agawam's economic picture as a whole."

Structural upgrades to the facade and landscaping by property owner Marcel Sander were made previous to Steve & Barry's opening in April 2008, coupled with the opening of Dave's Soda and Pet City in the adjacent property, formally Ames. Steve & Barry's filed for bankruptcy in November 2008 and closed its Agawam location soon thereafter.

"This is exciting news, especially given the current economy," Deborah Dachos, director of Planning and Community Development, said. "[Home Source Warehouse] will act as an incentive for other shops to fill the remaining vacant space [in the plaza]."

Sander agreed, adding, "We believe HSW will fulfill a need in Agawam."

The need for increased retail opportunities was detailed in an economic development study conducted by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) throughout the past two years.

"We were recently looking at the statistics provided by the mayor's office [and the PVPC] and ... 43 percent [of residents] wanted home furnishings and 12 percent wanted electronics -- looking at the choice of the market I really wanted to explore this [area]," Bilal Chaudhery, CEO of HSW, said.

He added this will be the first location under this business model but he does have other holdings in Springfield.

Cohen said economic development is a top priority for this administration and he'll continue to work to find other means for growth.

HSW will make an on-site formal announcement within the next couple of weeks. Chaudhery said the grand opening HSW on Springfield Street would take place in June.

Additional information about HSW will soon be available online at www.shophsw.com.