Chipotle Mexican Grill and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches have confirmed that they will join the growing number of retail and dining opportunities in the Radian Apartment building on the 3900 block of Walnut Street, which is currently under construction.
Penn's executive director of real estate Ed Datz also announced last week that Capogiro Gelato Artisans and CVS Pharmacy will also be opening in the Radian this year.
Jimmy John's franchise owner Brett Weinheimer, a 2000 Wharton alumnus, said he is hoping to begin construction in mid- to late September and to have the restaurant open in early November.
Construction on the space occupied by Chipotle will begin in two weeks, but Chipotle's director of development for the region Carl Behler said the restaurant "may not open until after the first of the year" because it needs large amounts of construction.
CVS will begin construction in the late fall and will open in spring 2009, said CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis. There are two other CVS locations near campus, one on the 3400 block of Walnut Street and one on the 4300 block of Locust Street.
Although the University was involved in the decision to bring the retailers to campus, the final say belonged to the Radian's developer, Inland American Communities.
Datz said he expects to see two to three additional retailers in the Radian, but which ones are still indefinite.
The Radian will open for occupancy on Aug. 31, but construction on the retail portion of the building will continue as students begin classes.
A few blocks farther to the east, retail on Walnut Street is seeing other changes.
Facilities and Real Estate Services is actively marketing the space at 3631 Walnut St. - the former site of Cereality, which closed in mid-July.
Datz said they are hoping to maintain the "synergy of the site." He said they are considering a variety of options, from places offering accessories to those focused on apparel to "convenience eating" establishments - those that offer neither a grill nor kitchen service.
Other changes to Walnut Street retail include the opening in September of a Naked Chocolate Cafe at the former site of University Jewelers.
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