The Dutchess County shopping center brings popular brands, like Buff City Soap, to the Hudson Valley, with plans for a hotel in 2022.
Poughkeepsie welcomed another major update in a very central location. The next time you drive along Route 9, be on the lookout for the newly renovated South Road Crossing shopping center.
“One of our clients expressed an interest in the market and we started doing some due diligence,” says Kevin Langan, the Leasing Manager for Cameron Group, LLC, the development company in charge of renovating the center. “Once we started to get more involved in the market, we realized that there was an opportunity to bring a great development to what was one of the biggest eyesores in the Hudson Valley.”
The eyesore in question was The Poughkeepsie Inn, which, while a reliable source of affordable accommodations for many years, eventually fell into disrepair. In fact, the original building was erected in 1940, then underwent several expansions and ownership changes over the years. As conditions worsened, it was time for a change. The ill-fated inn was the first building onsite to be demolished in 2020.
With 17.45 acres to work with, seven new businesses agreed to move into the center. After nearly 20 months, the group still has a long way to go in terms of finishing the project, but a few businesses were able to open at the end of 2021.
“Our vision typically includes a synergy of top national retailers, tenants that are unique to the market, quality local and regional uses, and community needs,” Langan says. “I think we are in the process of accomplishing this vision. We still have some work to do, but you can see by our tenant lineup that we have been successful so far.”
Today, while waiting for South Road Crossing’s uBreakiFix to solve your phone problems, first try out a new mattress at Sleep Number. Then head over to Buff City Soap for a new scent, but make sure to grab a snack from Smoothie King before merging back onto the traffic flow of Route 9.
Coming up next, there are a few other businesses planned to open in 2022, including Wingstop, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Home 2 Suites. First, buffalo-style chicken wing expert Wingstop helps customers find their flavor, whether that be atomic-level spice or lemon pepper tanginess. The second business to join South Road Crossing in 2022 is Jersey Mike’s Subs, a sandwich shop known for “the juice,” a red wine vinegar and olive oil blend that garnishes the chain’s crunchy bread and hoagies, which are piled with aged cheese and fresh ingredients.
“I think the biggest benefit is that we, along with the Foam and Wash group, who is developing at the former Coyote Grill adjacent to us, are taking a portion of Route 9 and turning it from an unsafe eyesore to possibly the most aesthetically pleasing part of Route 9,” Langan observes.
So, what does a day shopping at South Road Crossing look like today?
It could start at Buff City Soap, one of the first businesses to open in the shopping center. The brand offers all-natural soap with no harsh chemicals or detergents. Every color and scent imaginable is scattered throughout the store.
For instance, the mermaid soap smells of flowers and deep-sea diving. For someone who needs a confidence boost, try the “All Hail the Queen” soap, which offers hints of citrus and crown. In addition to a rainbow of soap options, the laundry soap can be personalized to smell of anything from Narcissist to lavender. The body butter is just as intoxicating, as you can find scents like Love Potion or magnolia.
Similarly, Smoothie King offers dozens of fruits and a plethora of healthy add-ins like protein powder and vitamin mixes. If craving a hearty favorite, Jersey Mike’s Subs combines crunchy bread with fresh ingredients and its special sauce for the perfect hoagie. Otherwise, head to Wingstop for a spicy alternative, with at least a dozen sauces from which to choose.
The largest and longest project the group is undertaking at the renovated Poughkeepsie shopping center is the opening of a Home 2 Suites. The hotel will be four stories with 111 rooms. With newly renovated accommodations on the way, the Poughkeepsie area will surely see more tourists shopping in the area during the weekend.
“The hotel parcel was sold to a hotel development group, Brandt Hospitality Group out of North Dakota. They have a great track record in developing hotels across the country,” Langan explains. Plans for the hotel include a Home 2 Suites by Hilton. In addition to 111 rooms, the convenient accommodations offer an eco-friendly pool and a Spin2 Cycle Fitness center. Plus, an outdoor lounge is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day. Construction will begin in the spring of 2022.