Clarence, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Town of Clarence is set to be the home of Western New York's second Trader Joe's.
The popular grocery store chain will be located at the former Applebee's on Transit Rd. The site was originally supposed to re-open as a Chic fil-A, but ultimately fell through due to the State Department of Transportation (DOT) stalling the project.
"The DOT was not allowing any modifications to the entrance exit to the East Cape Plaza. Town of Clarence wanted a double left turn out of the plaza, heading south on transit road. Benderson development was ready to make the traffic light improvements to make that happen. So because of the lack of cooperation from the state DOT, Chick fil-A decided to abandon that project, and the town of Clarence is lucky enough now to have Trader Joe's locate there, which is a win win, I think, for everybody," stated Clarence Supervisor Patrick Casilio in an interview with WBEN.
Casilio says the project has already moved forward with the town board and is now in the hands of the planning board.
"I expect it to go through quickly, because it's really an a reuse infill of an existing retail store. Obviously, Applebee's was a restaurant, but the Trader Joe's is a retail store. It does not have a drive through. So once it meets the aspects of design approved by our planning board, they can go ahead with construction."
Casilio explains that Trader Joe's shouldn't create congestion on Transit Rd. because of where it's located.
"I think it's important that Trader Joe's is internal to the plaza, so I don't expect any any drastic increase or traffic delays due to having Trader Joe's in the Town of Clarence."