Several retailers are still interested in moving into the former Borders site in Strongsville, but a lease has not been signed, a broker for the plaza said.
Harvey Kay of Kay Brokerage & Consulting said the negotiations continue.
"We haven't decided on anyone yet," Kay said.
He said he does not expect to sign a lease for another 60 to 90 days.
But he said interest is still high in the former bookstore on Royalton Road.
Last August, Earth Fare announced it had signed a lease for the vacant 27,000-square-foot Borders store.
But a few weeks later, U.S. Bank filed a foreclosure action in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court against the owner of the shopping center.
The foreclosure appeared to impact the deal with the North Carolina-based Earth Fare, which calls itself a healthy supermarket.
Kay said in January that Earth Fare was still interested, but so were three other national retailers.
Borders went out of business in 2011. The Strongsville store closed in September of that year.
Economic Development Director Brent Painter said in January that the year-long vacancy has more to do with the owner's legal problems than with finding a tenant.
"I think the issue was more wth the ownership of the building," Painter said. "There's always been interest in the site."
Earth Fare operates 28 stores in eight states -- including Fairview Park and Fairlawn -- and offers natural foods like local and organic fruits and vegetables. The store also has a full-service meat, poultry and fish department.
Jeff
2:11 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
I don't understand the delay. Strongsville is a vibrant community and I would think that a vast array of retailers would flourish in that location.
Pete
7:49 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Did you even read the article? It says why. A foreclosure messed it all up.
Pam428
3:52 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Have you scene how many vacancies there are in Strongsville? And when a business comes in you are lucky if it lasts a year
Lisa
4:41 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Earth Fare!
PJ Apostle
7:40 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Please bring in another bookstore!!!! We so desperately need them around here.
Pete
7:52 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
I have no problem with Earthfare or Trader Joe's but I say let Barnes and Noble move in there and delay Earthfare or Trader Joe's till the new Giant Eagle is built since it will be perfect to fill the future vacant building at Southpark. MIddleburg took a few years to fill the old site when they moved across the Southland lot. Don't let Strongsville's make the same mistake.
Paul R
9:29 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
it's my understanding that Big Bird will still control their old site. They've stated that whatever moves in there it will not a food store.
Donna
8:47 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Barnes and Noble-----we desperately need a bookstore in the area!!!!
Karen
11:45 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
I'm still hoping Earth Fare goes in there. Would really love to see 1/2 priced books come over here. The Exchange too. Rocky River had a lovely 1/2 priced bookstore. We drove over there as often as we could. They closed this past xmas. Was a very pleasant place to take the family, something for everyone. Last I heard/read, Toys R Us was going into the Giant Eagle spot...