Realtors and village officials are confident that a deal will close this year that puts a tenant in the former Borders store at 162 E. Main St. in Mount Kisco.
The 21,500-square-foot property has been vacant since September 2011 when Borders Books and Music declared bankruptcy and closed all of its locations. Borders was a major anchor store in the village”™s downtown shopping district and retailers have complained their businesses have suffered in the wake of its closing.
Carl Austin, of Austin Properties L.L.C. in Rye Brook, one of two brokers listing the property, said they are in negotiations with a national retail company. He declined to name the company, but said the retailer would lease the entire space.
“There”™s been tremendous interest in the property,”Austinsaid. “It”™s a landmark building inMt.Kisco. It”™s one of the largest buildings onMain Street. We are hopeful that the present negotiations will result in a long-term lease.” He said he expects a lease to be signed within the next several months.
“It would be very appropriate to that space and would fulfill all the zoning requirements,”Austinsaid. “That”™s why we are pursuing it as we are.”
Eric Goldschmidt, of Goldschmidt & Associates in Scarsdale, said another party is interested in the space, though Austin said that company would only be considered if negotiations with the national retailer fell through.
Mount Kisco Mayor Michael Cindrich said the village is working with the landlord, New York-based Property Group Partners L.L.C., to fill the space and provide a needed boost to its beleaguered businesses.
“As an anchor store, Borders attracted people to Mt.Kiscoat all hours,” Cindrich said. “Mt.Kiscowould do well to fill that spot. It”™s an attractive site with ample parking. It”™s a large space with a unique floor plan.”
Cindrich hopes that filling the Borders location could create a domino effect, leading to more downtown vacancies being filled.
Property Group Partners did not respond to requests for comment.
