Plaza owner hopes renovation attracts tenant

SHARON — It has been five months since Trotta’s market closed its doors and vacated the Sharon Plaza after 25 years of business, leaving a large vacant space in the center of the commercial section of town.

Dee Dee (Donovan) Mandino, whose family owns the Sharon shopping center, said there still is no news to report about the search for a new tenant. However, she announced plans to renovate the plaza by upgrading its facade in the next few weeks.

“The renovation is part of the process to prepare for the right tenant,� Mandino said. “We want to attract a successful business, and for that, the plaza has to be attractive. It is part of our marketing effort in trying to present ourselves in a new positive light.�

Mandino would not reveal what the new facade would look like, but she did say she has met with several businesses that have expressed interest in the location.

“But nothing definite at this moment,� she said. “Our first choice would be to have a new grocery store in the plaza. People are now having to leave town to meet day-to-day grocery needs. We don’t want people to do that, we want a hometown market.�

Mandino added that there is a possibility more than one tenant could occupy Trotta’s vacated space.

“In the 50 years since the plaza was built, we never had a long-term vacancy like this,� she said. “Sharon has been a consistent place to do business and we expect it to be one in the future.�

Mandino said her family is not considering selling the plaza.

For a letter to the editor from the owners of the plaza, turn to Page A13.

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