WILKES-BARRE - Businessman Judd Shoval will open an office in vacant space in the movie theater complex on East Northampton Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre, according to the building's owner Joe Amato.
Mr. Amato, a real estate developer and former champion drag racer, recently bought the complex which houses RC Movies 14, ReferLocal, three restaurants and vacant retail space on South Main, East Northampton and South Washington streets, for about $5 million. It is now called "City Centre."
Shoval Enterprises, a real estate and investments business, will move from its current office at 24 S. River St. next to Guard Insurance to an office next to the theater.
The move leaves only three empty sites with about 12,000 square feet of space at East Northampton and South Washington streets, Mr. Amato said. Prana Yoga recently opened in the complex and a yogurt shop called "Froyo Mania" is getting ready to open.
"The challenge will be to get the big space, 7,000 square feet, filled," Mr. Amato said.
Mr. Amato spoke to about 90 business people Friday morning about his vision and marketing strategies for the downtown complex at a forum at Genetti Hotel and Conference Center sponsored by Penn State Wilkes-Barre, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the Diamond City Partnership and Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society.
He owns about 140,000 square feet of the 172,000-square-foot complex, excluding the loft apartments, which are individually owned.
He said he hoped to attract a grocery to vacant space and approached companies like Whole Foods, but he said parking is an issue and there hasn't been much interest. He is working with others and taking public input to decide what would be the best fit for that space.
"It's hard to get somebody to make a move," Mr. Amato said. "I'm not sure if a restaurant works because there are so many restaurants downtown. There are enough restaurants. If you put a good restaurant there, it's going to take away from the other restaurants."
Mr. Amato updated his plans to turn Dominic's on the Lake at Harveys Lake into a new venue called the Boathouse Bar and Grill, which should open in late May, he said.
He also spoke about how he succeeded in today's business world.
Mr. Amato, 68, a five-time National Hot Rod Association world champion, now owns multiple commercial properties, including the Gateway Shopping Center in Edwardsville.
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com