And salsa for all

Plaza Azteca to join Chipotle on Richmond Road
By Steve Vaughan
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

WILLIAMSBURG — As in “Field of Dreams,” High Street developer Dan Aston believes that if you build it, they will come.

Sure enough, Aston has signed a lease with Plaza Azteca, a Mexican restaurant chain that will occupy one of the two large buildings facing Richmond Road. The next closest location is Newport News.

Plaza Azteca will be a tortilla’s throw from competition, now that the city recently landed Chipotle burrito restaurant.

The company will raze the Roadway Inn at the corner of Richmond and Bypass roads, suggesting a new trend in which restaurants trump motels.

Nearly six months after its grand opening, High Street has only two commercial tenants: Five Guys Burgers ‘n’ Fries and Movie Tavern. That’s led some to speculate that Aston has a white elephant on his hands, notwithstanding the recession.

At least one local businessman has suggested that the city scrap its plans to expand the Municipal Building and lease space at High Street instead. “There’s space there that no one is using,” he joked.

Aston thinks he’ll have the last laugh.

“I’d tell them to keep watching,” he said. “Five Guys is doing record business, and Movie Tavern is also strong. You’ll see more tenants. It takes some time to negotiate these leases, particularly in this economy.”

He said that despite a lack of progress on its building, the Kilwin’s ice cream parlor announced earlier this year is still headed to High Street. Lease negotiations are also ongoing with a nail salon and a fitness center, Aston said.

“We’ve seen an upsurge in interest over the last 30 days,” Aston added. “We’re not just taking anyone. This is taking longer than we thought, but we’re going to get the results we wanted.”