Marshalls and HomeGoods open in Winter Park

Marshalls and HomeGoods have arrived in Winter Park.

The Massachusetts-based retailers both made their debut in Winter Park May 18, opening at the Center of Winter Park plaza, site of the former Kmart at the corner of U.S. 17-92 and Lee Road.

The two stores — totaling 40,600 square feet — are marketed as “off-price retailers,” where shoppers can find clothing at Marshalls or home décor at HomeGoods for 20% to 60% below the prices of department and specialty stores.

The duo carries everything from jackets, handbags, ties and shoes to furniture, rugs, kitchen essentials and bedding.

“We’re happy to be here,” Marshalls store manager Hector Sanabria said.

The stores are another step toward revitalizing a plaza where a closed Kmart sat since early 2014. The site has been split into four store spaces — two of which becoming Marshalls and HomeGoods while the two remaining slots will be a DSW and a Ross.

Winter Park also voted in December 2015 for improvements to the façade of the buildings, as well as new landscaping to give it more of a Winter Park charm.

A fresh look for the plaza was met with open arms by the city.

“To the P&Z Board, this is a welcome and much needed renovation and rebranding of a 1960s shopping center,” city officials wrote in a document for a Dec. 14 Winter Park City Commission meeting. “The board desired further improvements for more of a ‘Winter Park’ character with enhanced pedestrian circulation, enhanced landscaping and storm water retention, which will result in some loss of parking to accomplish those goals.”

The new stores join Blaze Pizza and Zoe’s Kitchen as new plaza tenants.

SQUARE 1 EVICTED

The words of Twenty One Pilot’s electronic reggae
tune “Ride” pipe in through outdoor speakers at the plaza at 900 S. Orlando Ave. The music gives o a fun, playful atmosphere — a way to draw potential customers.

But there’s no one coming to the restaurant on the corner of Minnesota and Orlando avenues. The lights are o inside, and there’s no signs of life during lunch hour.

Square 1 Burgers has been evicted from its Winter Park location after reportedly owing more than $22,000

in back rent, according to Orange County court documents.

“SQUARE 1 failed to pay all the minimum rent and additional rent and charges when due according to the terms of the lease from April 1, 2017, and each month thereafter,” states a complaint from land- lord and plaintiff Destination Studios LLC.

An eviction notice posted on May 18 shows the business was given 24 hours to clear out and give the landlord possession of the property.

The Tampa-based restaurant chain is known for its wide variety of proteins, from Angus and Kobe beef to buffalo and lamb. The shuttered Winter Park location was the only one in the Orlando area. It was in business for just over a year, opening in March 2016.

Attorneys from both parties did not return messages seeking comment by press time.