Ongoing foundation work is for new Chipotle restaurant on Lincoln Way E

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent
·2 min read
Asphalt and dirt from an old parking lot are being cleared at the former Kmart site along Lincoln Way E in Massillon. Work is being done to accommodate a new Chipotle restaurant, slated to open in mid-2022.
Asphalt and dirt from an old parking lot are being cleared at the former Kmart site along Lincoln Way E in Massillon. Work is being done to accommodate a new Chipotle restaurant, slated to open in mid-2022.

MASSILLON – The plate, or foundation, is being set for a new restaurant coming to a section of the former Kmart site on Lincoln Way.

Pavement and dirt from an old parking lot are being cleared to house a new Chipotle Mexican Grill, targeted to open in mid-2022 within the 2600 block of Lincoln Way E.

More: Mexican eatery targeted for former Massillon Kmart site

New property owners and developers have finalized a lease agreement with the restaurant company earlier this month to be a main tenant of the 11.7-acre tract, according to Daniel Ginburg, of the Atlanta-based RCG-Stein investment group, who's one of the project leaders.

Chipotle part of major development upgrade in east Massillon

Chipotle is a separate but related part of a plan to revamp the approximately 108,000-square-foot Kmart building and multi-acre property that the retailer last occupied in 2017. The structure is being transformed into a large indoor/outdoor storage facility, which will be called Space Shop Self Storage.

Construction work has started on the parking lot at the former Kmart site along Lincoln Way E in Massillon. The old retail building is to be remodeled to accommodate a new indoor/outdoor storage center.
Construction work has started on the parking lot at the former Kmart site along Lincoln Way E in Massillon. The old retail building is to be remodeled to accommodate a new indoor/outdoor storage center.

"There will be a lot of inside (and façade) work during these next winter months," said Ginburg. "It's been a vacant building for some time with very little upkeep."

Interior demolition of the old Kmart building began a few weeks ago and is likely continue into early 2022, he added.

More: Zone change paves way for former Massillon Kmart to become indoor/outdoor storage center

The 700-unit storage center should open by fall of 2022, according to Ginburg.

"We're excited to be going (into Massillon)," he said. "This will be a great storage opportunity for the community."

Kmart property sale final

A sale of 7 acres of the Kmart property from owner Kamin Realty Co. to RCG-Stein has recently been finalized, Ginburg said. The sole parcel Kamin is keeping is a small section at Lincoln Way and 27th Street NE, which used to house Charlie's. A small grocery store is targeted for that spot.

Sears Holdings Corp., parent company of Kmart, shuttered its Massillon store in early November 2017, part of a mass closing of 28 stores nationwide.

Sears had been leasing the Kmart building from Kamin Realty.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Former Massillon Kmart site starting to take shape as new development