28-04-2025
Stewart's Shops proposes bigger store on North Massey Street
Apr. 27—WATERTOWN — Stewart's Shops plans to demolish its North Massey Street store and replace it with a bigger and better shop.
The Ballston Spa-based company has proposed constructing a 4,500-square-foot store at the current location at Coffeen and North Massey streets.
The new store will be able to sell more to-go items and grocery selections, said Chuck Marshall, real estate representative for the chain of convenience stores. The new Stewart's Shops will have the same number of four fueling stations as does the existing store.
"We're excited about bringing the same success we've had," Marshall said.
The existing store is slated to be torn down this spring, with construction of the new store to begin in July. The new store is scheduled to open in November.
The company has already purchased and demolished a house behind the existing store at 319 Coffeen St. An adjacent house at 327 Coffeen St. that's under contract with the company also will be torn down to make way for the new store, Marshall said. A small strip of land owned by Hop Spots will be purchased for the nearly acre site.
The project will be reviewed by the Jefferson County Planning Board on Tuesday. A company representative will make a presentation to the city of Watertown Planning Commission on May 6.
The new store replaces one that has been at that location for decades.
In recent years, Stewart's Shops has replaced its stores with larger stores or expanded into new markets in the north country.
Two years ago, Stewart's Shops opened a new $1.5 million store on Washington Street that replaced a smaller store down the street. It was met by grueling opposition from residents who expressed traffic concerns in their neighborhood.
The company made several compromises to the new store before the City Council approved the project.
But Marshall said the company hasn't received any complaints from residents since the new store opened in December 2022.
The company owns three other Stewart's Shops in Watertown, with several others in surrounding north country communities.
