Denton’s Fry Street Village plans on hold

by Carol Davis of North Texas Daily

DENTON — With Mr. Chopsticks out, the Tomato building demolished and the lot sitting empty, it would seem all clear to begin the Fry Street Village construction. But the plan has suffered a major setback.

Tim Sandifer of United Equities Inc. and director of the Fry Street Village project said the project is on hold.

This setback comes after the Denton City Council rejected the special use permit in December that would allow the CVS Pharmacy to have a drive-through. The CVS Pharmacy was planned to be built on the Tomato lot on the corner of Hickory and Fry streets, but that will not be happening now, Sandifer said.

The main condition for the CVS Pharmacy's opening was that it would be allowed to open a pharmacy drive-through window, he said. For the empty lot and strip of vacant business spaces, no other plans have been proposed.

"There are no plans for development at this time," Sandifer said.

With no future construction plans, Sandifer said selling the property is an option.

Several businesses were displaced because of the suspended project.

Mr. Chopsticks relocated in September 2006 to Scripture Street. The Tomato was forced to close its doors after 22 years of service and has yet to relocate. Naranja Café moved to Loop 288 and now 906 Ave C, Suite 100, and Cool Beans lost half of its building.

"This seems like a big waste of money and time," business and marketing senior Devon McAfee said. "This project has ruined businesses like the Tomato who have been a family business and now have no restaurant to call their own."