KINGSTON — A Maryland developer is turning the former CVS on Market Street between North Welles and North Thomas avenues into a new shopping center which will include a fitness center.
Orangetheory Fitness is signing a lease to be one of the tenants, said Bob Statkiewicz, a partner in Aberdeen Investments Limited Partnership with his wife Paula.
The fitness center would like to open by Jan. 1 in time for New Year’s resolutions, he said. It’s described on its website as a “science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout.” It has more than 1,000 locations worldwide.
Statkiewicz has been working with Patrick Sammon, associate real estate broker with Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate, in talking to prospective local and national businesses to be the next tenants.
“We have strong interest from other national tenants but no other leases have been signed,” Statkiewicz said.
Statkiewicz would not disclose what national tenants they talked to. He said there could be two, three or four other tenants depending on the interest.
“I think you’ll find it will be a very attractive property,” he said. “Aesthetically, it will be one of the nicest properties along there if not the nicest.”
Miller Rosentel Associates architectural firm in Wilkes-Barre is designing the new building, he said.
CVS moved to a new store on Market Street next to A&A Auto and across from Walgreens. Statkiewicz said he tried to sell the former CVS building but it sat vacant for a while.
“It wasn’t getting much action so I decided to convert it into a little shopping center,” he said.
Kingston Zoning Officer Frank Tirico said Statkiewicz received a building permit to repurpose the building into rentable units.
“It’s way better than having an empty property in Kingston,” Tirico said. “We’re all happy to see it under construction.”
The drive-through that was formerly part of the CVS will remain, Tirico added.
“One of the businesses will have a drive-through and that will depend on who needs it,” he said.
Before CVS occupied the building in the mid-1990s, Statkiewicz said it previously was Ertley Oldsmobile dealership and David Ertley and his wife formerly lived in an apartment on the top of the building. That part of the building will be demolished, he said.
A double-block home behind the property at 18-20 N. Thomas Ave. also will be torn down as part of the project, he said.
Aberdeen Investors Limited Partnership acquired the property in May for $116,500, according to a property transaction.
Two tenants were renting the property on a month to month basis and one tenant already moved out and another tenant plans to move, Statkiewicz said. The tenants received eviction notices that their leases were being terminated more than 90 days in advance and he said it was a “friendly thing.”