A third Dunkin’ is coming to Fort Mill, and more new homes aren’t far behind
A new Dunkin’ Donuts will bring its donuts, breakfast and beverages to Fort Mill’s east side. The donut shop is part of the new Avery Plaza development, and won’t be far from a site where there will be hundreds of new homes.
A new multi-tenant building will go between the existing Food Lion shopping center and QT gas station at the corner of S.C. 160 and Springfield Parkway. Dunkin’ will have a more than 2,000-square-foot end space nearest the QT. A slightly larger space on the opposite end will face Food Lion. Between them, five more spaces will offer almost 1,400 square feet each.
Kerri Robusto, senior vice president with Clear Springs Development, said other tenants are yet to be determined.
“I don’t have any other leases signed yet, but I’m just starting to market it since the Dunkin’ deal is finally signed,” Robusto said.
With construction just starting, Robusto said it could be 18 months before the donut shop opens. By the time Dunkin’ and up to six more businesses open in the new retail space, the area could look much different.
Homes nearby
Springland Associates, a company affiliated with Clear Springs, sold more than 340 acres just northeast of Avery Plaza to Dan Ryan Builders for almost $16.5 million. The property is next to Anne Spring Close Greenway property, along with the school complex that includes Fort Mill Elementary School and Fort Mill Middle School.
The land has access off S.C. 160.
Robusto said plans for the site include roughly 500 age-restricted homes. The builder is working through the permit process now, Robusto said, so development activity could be at least four or five months from starting.
Assistant town manager Chris Pettit said the property is approved for 475 age-restricted homes or townhomes as part of a 2008 development agreement with Clear Springs. Some early grading is underway. The new residences won’t have to come to the town council or planning commission again.
“Given that it was approved in 2008 in the development agreement, all subsequent approvals are administrative and do not require further council or planning commission action,” Pettit said.
Dan Ryan also bought almost 3 acres from another associated company, Clear Springs Baxter, last year for $1 million. That site is off Sixth Baxter Crossing and Hugh Street. An application last year by Clear Springs Baxter for that site included plans for 20 townhomes.
Dan Ryan has communities in 10 states from Florida to Pennsylvania. The company worked in Masons Bend in Fort Mill, and it Paddlers Cove in Lake Wylie. DRB Elevate is the brand of active adult, age-restricted communities for seniors.
Dunkin’ is a Massachusetts-based company that started in 1950. There are now more than 11,000 locations worldwide, including more than 8,500 sites in 41 states. Dunkin’ has two Fort Mill locations, both in the Gold Hill Road corridor, plus three stores in Rock Hill and another in Lake Wylie.
