Hayes, VA, in 1990. With tenants like Food Lion, Peebles, Regal Cinemas, KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King, Advance AutoParts, Crown gas, Little Caesars pizza, Subway Station, Regal Cinemas and more, this was one hot new spot.
In 1998, a new strip opened in front, called "The Shops at York River, fit for 9 tenants. I know all the first tenants, there were 6 (3 of them used 2 stores). They were:
and Eastern Eye Associates optometry
Liberty, Subway, and EEA took up 2 tenants. GNC, Allstate, and Liberty were larger stores btw. Anyways, all of those opened 1998-1999. And all but 1 have closed in the past 11 years.
I think it was around 2003 when GNC closed, followed by Allstate in 2004 who moved up the street with their orthodontist friend. Don't think I ever went into the GNC, I had no business in there. We're members with Allstate, and I used to take in the bills. When you entered, it was a big lobby with a desk in the back, and couches w/magazines in the front. I think the walls were light blue. After both closed, Carolina Cuties, a child's boutique shop, occupied the former GNC store, and Weight Loss for Life occupied the former Allstate. Both closed in 2007.
Also, in 2007, in York River Crossing, little Langley Federal Credit Union moved to the "Lighthouse" up the road at the old Hayes Shopping Center, in a former Chesapeake Bank that also moved. Radio Shack decided to move there, and they died. They are now Tech Zone. The old Radio Shack at TSAYR still sits vacant.
I think it was around 2003 when GNC closed, followed by Allstate in 2004 who moved up the street with their orthodontist friend. Don't think I ever went into the GNC, I had no business in there. We're members with Allstate, and I used to take in the bills. When you entered, it was a big lobby with a desk in the back, and couches w/magazines in the front. I think the walls were light blue. After both closed, Carolina Cuties, a child's boutique shop, occupied the former GNC store, and Weight Loss for Life occupied the former Allstate. Both closed in 2007.
Also, in 2007, in York River Crossing, little Langley Federal Credit Union moved to the "Lighthouse" up the road at the old Hayes Shopping Center, in a former Chesapeake Bank that also moved. Radio Shack decided to move there, and they died. They are now Tech Zone. The old Radio Shack at TSAYR still sits vacant.
In February 2008 an FDR Restaurant opened in the former GNC and Allstate. There was also a Newport News location. The dining room was the GNC, and the kitchen was the Allstate. This restaurant closed in late 2008 after a buyout (the Newport News store is now a pizza parlor), and it sits vacant with the sign still up.
In September 2008, Subway found opportunity for a better store at the Hayes Shopping Center, in an old pet center. The opportunity was more space, the current yellow wallpaper look with the ingredients on the counter, and more parking. The two stores it took up sit vacant. The sign left behind a very dirty labelscar, but it was cleaned and painted over.
Soooo.... what's left? Liberty Tax and the Optometry. Beginning in late 2008 a brick building was being built a few miles down the highway. Eastern Eye decided to move. The new store opened on June 1st, 2009, and the two stores it occupied currently sit vacant. The sign hasn't been taken down yet (6-19-09).
Liberty Tax sits all alone in the once thriving new strip. I have a feeling they'll be leaving soon, and the whole strip will be torn down.
Now, here's some pictures:
The Eastern Eye when it was open
Subway when open
Liberty Tax and the old Radio Shack
The FDR before closure
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