More stores commit to Norwich plaza

Norwich - In advance of next week's groundbreaking for the new Norwichtown Commons, the mall owner has announced several new stores that will occupy the renovated space.

Winstanley Enterprises LLC and Surrey Equities will hold a groundbreaking ceremony May 24 at 10 a.m. at the former Norwichtown Mall to mark the start of demolition of the center portion of the mall from the recently renovated Dress Barn store to the large big-box anchor site at the opposite end.

Signed leases for Phase l to create a shopping center with individual store entrances will include the existing Stop & Shop and Dress Barn, the return of Dollar Tree and Fancy Nails and the new stores PetSense, Hair Cuttery and a Chinese restaurant.

Phase 2 improvements, slated to start this fall, include the creation of two new anchor tenant stores totaling 50,000 square feet. Additional tenants will be announced shortly, the developers said.

"The vibrancy being brought to this mall by the businesses and the jobs created is a healthy shot for the future vitality of our area," said Nancy Gray, president and executive director of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.

c.bessette@theday.com