Many Ridge stores will open as soon as April

A rendering of an outdoor seating area at The Ridge Marketplace in Rochester. (Courtesy image)

ROCHESTER - The opening for several anchor stores at what will be Rochester's newest shopping center are beginning to firm up, according to a spokesperson for Waterstone Retail, the developer on the project.

Marketing Director Jen Fairfield said Petco, Hobby Lobby, Famous Footwear and Marshall's will all be opening at The Ridge Marketplace in late April, while Market Basket is expected open by Memorial Day.

Fairfield added that interest in The Ridge is phenomenal and the developer has fielded and continues to field many inquiries about locating there.

"We are getting a lot of activity on the leasing front," Fairfield said today. "It's very exciting."

With Phase II of the agreement with Rochester signed in December, the square footage at the Ridge increased from 300,000 square feet to almost a half-million square feet.

The Ridge will be located on Farmington Road near the Rochester Walmart.

Waterstone Retail founding principal Josh Levy said at the signing the leasing interest in The Ridge was unprecedented in the company.

He said he expects some 25-30 retail outlets, including five or so restaurants and a cinema complex.

According to the lease plan on the company's website, at least four restaurants are notated along with a junior anchor store, an outdoor park and other subdividable retail, entertainment or restaurant space.

The Ridge is expected to add 800-plus jobs and invest $40 million in facilities over the next three years.