What happens if you build a shopping center, but not enough stores move in? Hanover and the College may soon find out.
The clothing store Talbots in the new commercial center next door to Ben and Jerry's will open on Oct. 20, but another 6,300 square feet of space in the building remain unrented.
Director of College Real Estate Paul Olsen cited efforts to make sure incoming businesses are a proper match with the town and College as the reason they have not yet filled the vacant spaces, saying his office had been talking to the Talbots company for between eight and ten years.
Olsen said that although no specific studies have been conducted to determine what businesses are in demand in Hanover, his office is always interested in gauging what the community would like to see. "If students have some ideas as to what stores they think would be a good fit, they should e-mail our office," Olsen said.
Dartmouth College's subsidiary, 7 Lebanon Street, owns the building and serves as a landlord to any tenants in it.
Subdivision is still being considered as an option, but Olson stated that the College Real Estate Office is currently speaking to several businesses about occupying the full area. He declined to name these companies.
Last year, six months were spent in negotiations with Eddie Bauer, but the talks fell through Spring term.
Hanover does allow for chain restaurants such as Starbucks or McDonald's, but Olsen told The Dartmouth previously that they are not seeking out such businesses.
Advest investment brokerage also has offices in the building, and the Dartmouth Office of Public Affairs moved in last week.
