What's Next for Devon Waterloo Gardens Site
The owner addresses the rumors that are swirling about the 6.5 acre property.
Waterloo Gardens owner Bobby LeBoutillier says the three biggest rumors circulating about who is buying the now-closed Waterloo Gardens site in Devon are: Terrain, A Ford dealership, or a nursing home.
"I hope I find their checks," LeBoutillier said in an interview TE Patch. So far he says there are no offers on the table for the aproximately six-and-a-half acre site which his grandparents opened in Devon 70 years ago in 1942.
According to a report on business-bankruptcies.com, Waterloo Gardens filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in June.
The landmark Waterloo Gardens property is prime real Main Line commercial real estate on Lancaster Ave, one block west of the Devon Horse Show grounds. In this economy it reamins to be seen if even that might be a tough sell. The entire area is dotted with empty commercial buildings, including the sprawling former Anro Direct Marketing facility.
LeBoutillier says he's heard the same rumors about a buyer that some readers have asked Patch track to down, including one that Terrain, an 'eco-friendly' nursery/garden center company which recently bought Styers nursery in Glenn Mills, was buying the property.
A new car dealership would have the space, but a lot of competition. Euro Motorcars Mercedes and Maseratti of the Main Line are across the street from the Waterloo Gardens property. Other more moderately priced car dealers are within a two mile drive.
What would you like to see move in to the property that housed Waterloo Gardens for 70 years? Tell us in the comments section at the bottom of the article.
Waterloo's third-generation family owner would certainly appear open to offers for the property.
LeBoutillier told Patch the company is still trying to sell its former store location in Warminster, PA which has been sitting empty for several years now. LeBoutillier says he is forced to close the Devon store for the same reason.
The collapse of the home construction business in 2008 has meant a steep decline in his business. He says the company is forced to consolodate operations to the single, much larger, store in Exton. He explained that the one flagship store is still not big enough or profitable enough to support operating losses from Warminster, Devon or a smaller outdoor furniture store the company closed in Wilmington, DE.
Anonymous
7:43 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
A WaWa would be awesome, especially the GAS one!
A Dollar store would be nice too!
We already have ENOUGH restaurants, nursing homes, etc in the area.
We need something that we don't have ENOUGH of!
NO MORE GAS STATIONS, BANKS!!
There used to be a WaWa in Devon years ago...please bring it back!!
With the economy being hard on people, DOLLAR stores really help!!
They are TOO far apart in the area.
Judy
10:05 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Residential townhouse development for over 65 years. That way we can still stay in our neighborhood when downsizing and not end up in East Jabip...
Anonymous
7:45 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
I meant NO MORE REGULAR GAS STATIONS...WaWa has food, etc :)
Susan Kersch
8:05 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
A 24 hour Wawa near the 24 Hour Wegmans is ideal! Just down the road from the 24 hour CVS in Paoli.
Dana Cost
8:26 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
How about a super Wawa?
Chaz Michael Michaels
12:15 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
They proposed a giant wawa gas station right in the middle of Berwyn at the old Eckert, the uproar made that a no go almost immediately. Not sure that this part of Easttown would be any different.
Anonymous
8:32 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Well here we go...hopefully everyone will have a say...not JUST the owner of Waterloo!!
Thanks DANA!!!
Michael Wacey
11:14 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
I am of two minds on this.
First, the family has owned the land for 70 years, why shouldn't they be able to sell it to whoever gives them the best offer so long as it meets zoning?
Second, we all live in a community and rely upon each other. A business is successful because people patronize it. Therefore, it only makes sense to get the community behind any new owner.
My guess is that most people would not be happy if their neighbors got to reject a buyer of their home - unless they agreed to that when they moved in. Should a business sale be treated differently?
Ann Keech
8:41 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Please - no more car dealerships or banks!
Eva Pastor
9:45 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
It would certainly be a much better location for a super Wawa than the one they wanted in Berwyn! I could live with that. But as other people have already mentioned, we have enough banks and car dealers in a 2 mile stretch ... don't need any more!
No more dry cleaners or nail salons either!
Christine Johnson
10:05 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Garden-style apartments would be nice. Low-rise with lots of trees and flowers and a couple of courtyards. Devon station is just across the street...easy commute downtown.
RenterNow
10:13 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
A nice 55+ low rise condo community - it would expand the tax base without adding to the school population.
Michael Wacey
11:08 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
I would like to see a mini mall of small restaurants with both indoor and outdoor seating. It would be great if they coould coordinate it so that there is one set of wait staff for all o fthem. Then, one person could have Sushi while another person had Italian. No idea if such a thing exists or could work, but it would be nice.
Rick
11:19 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Something tells me they wont be putting a Dollar Store next door to a Maseratti dealership. I would also bet that the residents of that area would fight tooth and nail against a super Wawa, first its not ON Rt 30 its off set, 2 the amount of traffic would be ridiculous. Susan, there is a 24 Wawa next to the 24 Hour Wegmans in Malvern, infact its less than 500ft from it on the back side. I personally think another Home and Garden store would be ideal, but if Waterloo failed there, how would its fate be any different. Maybe the horse show should buy it and turn it into a parking lot. Or better yet maybe Wagsworth Manor could look to expand and there could be a top notch pet facility that is easier to get too than out Pheonixville Pike.
Monika Krug
12:17 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
How about a residential development - condos or apartments around a courtyard garden
Libby Brinton
12:27 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Whatever goes here depends on the current zoning. Does anyone know what it is? Might it not be a better option for Ed Morris than the Duffy tract in Daylesford? There's more than enough room. Depending on the frontage, an auto dealership might fit. How about Mathews Ford moving here from Paoli.
Anonymous
3:15 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
please NO MORE CAR DEALERSHIPS!!!
i don't think the owner of Waterloo will take any of our suggestions anyway...no use in adding additional comments...i think his mind is made up for a dealership.
there is so much more to life than banks, restaurants, car dealerships, gas stations, etc. there is just not enough of places NEEDS, rather than WANTS.
i didn't mean to start an uproar :(
William Keyser
5:13 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Ideally a commercial mix on the first floor of small businesses and 2nd floor condos all with an elegant Devon facade!
Berwynmom
6:48 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I would love to see an entertainment complex geared to youth. Mini-golf, arcade, pizza, roller rink, batting cages, small rides...some place the kids can go and have fun.
Karen Kovich
6:49 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
A residential area of houses and/or condos that are attractive. Devon and Berwyn need to think about aesthetics. Our area has gotten rundown looking.
Karen Rotwitt Perrin
7:05 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I second Berwynmom's suggestion. Remember family friendly entertainment? Not too much of it to be found anymore. Give the kids a safe environment to spend time/money and be kids!
Candy Kane
7:49 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
It would be great to have a mini mall of boutiques and interesting stores such as an antique store or an ice cream store, that the residents of Devon could walk to, like a small Wayne or Malvern. The is nothing like that in Devon and it would be an attractive use for the 6 1/2 acres. The name "Devon" always made me think of a charming little village and we seem to be lacking in the "charm" department, commercially.
Karen Kovich
10:02 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Yes, I agree, Devon is not as attractive as other areas. I like the idea of a charming shopping area. A family oriented shopping area like Spread Eagle would be nice since there is a neighborhood so close. A Wawa or car dealership would really hurt those houses.
Angela
1:32 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I would love to see possible a catering hall in there. The grounds are beautiful and the front gate is gorgeous! We have no such facility in the area that can hold a large amount of people for a wedding, shower, gala, etc. It's right next to the the Devon horse show and so much business can be held there.
Kasey Taylor
7:28 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Smaller size homes for people who want to down size their home and not leave the area. Homes with all the amenities but not the square footage.
Sue
6:16 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
I agree, either a garden center or a mini "shop" area that is quaint. NO CAR DEALERSHIP OR BANK!!! Keep in mind, this is off route 30, but is also a residential area with LOTS of children. Extra traffic would not be welcomed!
William Keyser
8:21 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
No way another garden center can buy and survive in that location. Sticking with my original thought of trendy shoppes below and condos above.
Anonymous reader
10:59 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The appropriate response as to what to do with that property is for Waterloo to use the substantial funds the sale would generate to pay off as much of the money they owe their creditors as possible.