Drivers who have motored down Richmond Road in Lightfoot have probably noticed the construction project that began last week in front of Harris Teeter.
What’s being built?
A new Panera Bread, along with a Valvoline Instant Oil Change and a Heartland Dental office, will be coming to the Lightfoot Marketplace, according to Jennifer Harris, development manager for property owner Armada Hoffler.
“Everybody is excited about the Panera,” Harris said, adding the new restaurant will also have its own drive-thru.
Harris said the timeline for completion of construction is still to be determined, but she hopes the shell of the buildings will be completed by the fall of this year. From there, Panera’s contractors or employees will complete the build-out, which Harris said typically takes four or five months.
“I would imagine they will open in early in 2019,” Harris said.
Panera did not respond to requests for comment. The company also has a location in New Town. Harris thinks Panera may set a new example for many national restaurant chains and how they approach conducting business in the region moving forward.
“I’m really hoping this will be a catalyst for Williamsburg,” Harris said. “It’s kind of been a one-tenant town. A lot of tenants think [Williamsburg] is only big enough for one store… Panera is now showing everybody they’re going to do two, and still be successful.”
She added Panera will split a building with Heartland Dental, while Valvoline Instant Oil Change will stand alone in its own building.
Valvoline will offer full-service oil changes, according to Heather Watson, Valvoline corporate communications manager for Quick Lube.
She said she expects Valvoline will open in the fall of 2018.
The oil change will come with a free 18-point vehicle check, and Valvoline promises the process will be done in 15 minutes or less, Watson said. Customers will remain in their vehicles while it is serviced by technicians.
Customers will also be able to pay for preventative maintenance services, such as replacing wiper blades, batteries, head and tail lights, air filters, and fluids including radiator, automatic transmission and differential.
The new store comes during a growth spurt for Valvoline, which Watson said is opening 25 new Instant Oil Change locations nationwide.
“One of the reasons we’re so excited to open a service center there is because Williamsburg and Newport News have a great residential and retail base,” Watson said.
