Visions for Vacancies: Merritt Park Shopping Center

Demolition has begun at the Merritt Park Shopping Center.

Last Thursday, the Citgo gas station and carwash, which sat on the shopping center's lot facing Holabird Avenue, and the former Firestone store at the front of the lot were razed as the first step in the shopping center's renovations.

About a dozen locations in the shopping center are currently empty, and the center itself has fallen into disrepair. The shopping center's new owner, MP63, LLC, hopes to bring new banks, restaurants or a pharmacy  to the so-called pad sites around the edges of the shopping center lot.  The owner would also like to attract and a full-service .

have been swirling about possible big-box retailers, such as a Target or a Sam's Club. But Peter Grose, vice president for Regional Management Inc. the Baltimore-based real estate management firm that is negotiating to bring a full-service grocery store to the Merritt Park Shopping Center, said those big-box stores typically require a retail space of 120,000 square feet. Merritt Park does not have a space that large.

“Actually, I’ve heard those rumors, too, and more than a couple times,” Grose said, referring to community talk—and hopes—of a new Target coming to the 50-year-old plus Merritt Park Shopping Center.

“I think we are really laying the foundation for a great location,” Grose said. “A lot of retailers are waiting to see if we get it—the grocery store. I’m optimistic.”

State Delegate is encouraged to see investments being made in the greater Dundalk community. 

“As the Merritt Park Shopping Center redevelopment continues,” said . “I hope that the owners are able to secure a quality anchor tenet, as well as other national food and retail establishments.”

What retailers would you like to see come to Merritt Park Shopping Center? Let us know in the comments section.

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