VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A "prominent grocer" and a sporting goods store will occupy the former Bed Bath & Beyond location at Virginia Beach Town Center — vacated in 2023 when the retailer filed for bankruptcy.
Armada Hoffler, the Virginia Beach property investment company, finalized the two retail leases to utilize the vacant property, according to a press release.
Watch: New stores in Virginia Beach Town Center
Officials have not confirmed the names of the stores, however, a permit record filed in December at that address indicated the sporting goods store is a Golf Galaxy.
“These new retail leases highlight the successful reimagining of this former big-box space and our ability to attract desirable retail tenants due to the highly trafficked area and proximity to Town Center of Virginia Beach,” said Shawn Tibbetts, chief executive officer and president of Armada Hoffler.
Watch related coverage: Auctioning of Greenbrier Mall showcases continued struggle of malls
The grocery store will lease 14,000 square feet from the property, while the sporting goods store will occupy 19,000 square feet.
"Tell Publix please come, please come we need you," Gail Tillar, a resident of Virginia Beach, said.
Thursday was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Aviva Pembroke senior living facility at Pembroke Square.
City leaders said this continued development shows that property can be repurposed to continue welcoming new communities.
"As we run out of land, we have a Marine core motto, improvise, adapt, and overcome and that's what we're doing," Mayor Bobby Dyer, said. "This is a repurposing of land that will make it more efficient."
The Town Center of Virginia Beach district is Armada Hoffler's flagship property, this includes Columbus Village and Pembroke Square retail. Their press release reported that the area receives 6.9 million annual visits. The retail space has now been 98 percent leased.
