BY
GREG KWASNIK
A CVS proposed for Pinardville
could displace several
homeowners and a landmark
bowling alley if approved
by the Goffstown Planning
Board.
Project developer Grammas
Investment Group has
submitted an application to
build a 14,718-square-foot CVS
near the Manchester border.
The proposed store would
be built at the intersection of
Mast Road, Pinard Street and
Henriette Street.
First proposed several
years ago, the project would
require the demolition of several
houses along Pinard Street
and businesses along Mast
Road. Businesses currently on
the proposed site include Creative
Vision Flooring Design,
National Hearing Aid Center,
the Abiding Light Pentecostal
Church and King Bowling
Lanes.
Daniel LaRochelle, owner
of King Bowling Lanes, said
nothing happened after the
prospect of the new CVS came
up a year ago. But LaRochelle
said there has been a renewed
interest in his property.
“Has there been an interest?
Yes, there’s been an interest,
but as far as I’m concerned
no papers have been signed,
so nothing’s happening,” said
Rochelle, who will weigh his
options if approached by a
buyer.
“Right now we’re business
as usual and anything’s for sale
for the right price,” LaRochelle
said. “But right now nothing’s
happening.”
The Hebert family opened
King Lanes in 1939. At that
time, pinboys would set bowlers’
pins instead of an automatic pinsetter.
LaRochelle’s father, Robert,
took over the bowling
alley with his father in 1954,
at which time automatic pinsetters
were installed.
Working
the counter at the bowling
alley recently, the elder LaRochelle
said he worried that
CVS rumors would cut into
his business by discouraging
customers from signing up for
upcoming bowling leagues.
“I figured it’s just talk
again,” LaRochelle said, chuckling.
“My customers seem to
know more than we do.”
Goffstown officials know
little more about the status of
the proposed project than LaRochelle.
The project’s developers
were scheduled to present a
conceptual review of the project
to the Planning Board July 22,
but asked for a continuance.
Town planner Brian Rose
said homeowners and business
owners likely to be displaced
by the CVS must sign
off on the project before it can
get Planning Board approval.
“Right now we did send out a
public notice to all property owners
there and all abutters,” Rose
said. “As to whether or not all
property owners have signed off
– that’s another question. We did
not get any documentation from
property owners at this point.”
One Pinard Street homeowner
who did not want to be
named said he had received
some interest in his home of
38 years.
“We were approached two
years ago if we were willing to
sell, and that’s where it stands
now,” he said.
Like LaRochelle, the homeowner
said he would carefully
consider any offers before
deciding to sell his home.