Shopping Center to Boast Drive-Thru Coffee, Bistro Dining

A Murrieta-based developer has acquired a fledgling shopping center on the city's northeast border with plans to offer more options for neighboring Murrieta and Menifee residents, as well as frequenters of Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta and Mt. San Jacinto College.

Currently home to a Walgreen's and a Jack in the Box, Continental East Development (CED) announced it plans to bring a drive-thru coffee shop--among other retailers and medical offices--to the 84,000-square-foot Antelope Square. The shopping center is located on the southeast corner of Antelope and Scott roads. It was purchased in late 2010 by CED, a real estate development company that focuses on commercial and large residential properties.

The center is ideally located with easy access and exposure to approximately 24,500 cars traveling through the area per day, CED said in a news release. 

"...Every individual we spoke to has emphasized the need for diverse restaurants other than fast food establishments, and the lack of coffee shops, more importantly drive-thru coffee, in the area,” said Lydia Percia, vice president and co-founder of Continental East Development.

“It is apparent that working professionals and families alike are searching for a shopping center that offers more than what is currently available in the local neighborhood...” Percia said.

DAVCON Companies broke ground on Antelope Square in 2007. However, the project was stalled in late 2008 when funds were not readily available to complete the shopping center and forced a delay in tenant occupancy, CED said.

As the new developer, CED is striving to provide expanded food services along with other desired amenities that will help boost business in the area instead of forcing locals to shop and dine elsewhere, the news release stated.

CED has revised Antelope Square’s previous development plans and changed the large location that was once slated as a bank pad to drive-thru coffee shop and café/bistro with outdoor seating. The company expects it will be an ideal spot for business lunch meetings and weekend dining with the family or a casual night out.

Expansion plans have been submitted to the City of Murrieta, and subject to approval, ground breaking is projected to take place late summer 2011, according to the news release.

CED is in the process of interviewing new tenants, which are envisioned to include: a drive-thru coffee shop; bistro and café with patio seating, soothing landscapes, and the ability to promote local entertainment; specialty food stores; designer clothing stores; an assortment of restaurants of all cuisines; an urgent care facility; and dental and local general practitioner offices.

CED is headquartered in Murrieta. Originally established in Orange County, CED’s current real estate investment focus has been concentrated on southwest Riverside County including properties located in Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta and Temecula.

The company, which has international resources, was launched in 2009 to take advantage of the distressed California real estate market and to acquire commercial and large residential properties with significant value-added appreciation opportunities, the news release stated.

To date, its real estate acquisitions have been debt-free. The company service's include real estate acquisition, planning, design consultation, construction management and property management services. Some of CED's institutional real estate acquisitions have included purchases from Comerica Bank, Central Pacific Bank, First California Bank, KeyBank and Bank Midwest.

For more information on Antelope Square, visit Antelopesquare.com or contact Lydia Percia at 951-805-3930.