Waffle House, Pet Supplies Plus to be replaced with new development - Kokomo Tribune

Waffle House, Pet Supplies Plus to be replaced with new development - Kokomo Tribune

KOKOMO - A new development at the corner of Markland Avenue and Indiana 931 is likely to bring a mix of new retail and restaurant options to Kokomo.

The project will, however, also result in the razing of buildings housing two longtime Kokomo businesses – Waffle House and Pet Supplies Plus. Both are scheduled to be torn down next spring.

Alrig USA, based out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, will develop the project, comprised of three new buildings.

Alongside two freestanding retailers, the third structure will be a multitenant building likely to consist of restaurants and retailers, according to Brandon Schram, head of acquisitions at Alrig. Schram said that because of ongoing negotiations he could not reveal the names of incoming businesses.

Schram also said Alrig hopes to break ground in the spring, “if not sooner.” At that time, the developer will tear down Waffle House and Pet Supplies Plus to make room for the new buildings.

For the foreseeable future, Long John Silver’s and A&W, which has been discussed as a component of the new development, will remain in operation, added Schram.

And though Schram was hesitant to provide an exact timeline for the project, which will amount to a more than $6 million development, he provided a construction estimate of four to six months.

The project received development plan approval at the December Kokomo City Plan Commission meeting, during which it was announced 30 evergreen trees will line the western part of the property and 146 parking spaces will be available.

Miles Handy, the owner of Pet Supplies Plus, said he is currently looking into locations to move his business of 23-plus years.

Despite the fact his lease, which is up at the end of the year, hasn’t been renewed, Handy said he is hopeful Pet Supplies Plus won’t have to close its current site at the beginning of January.

Instead, Handy is optimistic he will have time to secure a new location without closing, a process he hopes to have completed within the next 30 days, he said late last week.

“When you’re dealing with people’s livelihoods and the cost of moving your operation and that, there are some definite concerns,” he said. “I’m not against development by any means. I just want to make sure that we have a smooth transition for our employees and our customers.

“That’s just life,” he added later. “I’m sure the developer is going to put together a nice development. And who knows? Maybe we could be part of it. I don’t know.”

Handy noted that he is a strong proponent of the progress that has been made in downtown Kokomo and expressed interest in possibly moving Pet Supplies Plus to the downtown area.

In fact, Handy said his company has developed a geographical mapping survey of current customers to see where they are pulling the most business, a process he hopes leads to an efficient move.

John Timme, the owner of Waffle House, declined to comment for this story.