[Dmajackson]

I was wondering what is happening to the old chocolate factory;

Dartmouth Gate ready for more retail tenants
Value Village to open in June at former Moirs factory site
By BRUCE ERSKINE Staff Reporter
Mon. Jan 26 - 11:57 AM

DARTMOUTH — The renovated Moirs candy factory on Pleasant Street in Dartmouth could be fully leased in 2009, says Gordon Laing, president and COO of Southwest Properties Ltd.

The prominent Halifax real estate development firm, owned by the Spatz family, bought the Hershey-owned plant in 2007 after its Pennsylvania-based parent announced it was closing the unprofitable facility, putting almost 600 people out of work.

Southwest is transforming the 175,000-square-foot space into a mixed retail complex, called Dartmouth Gate.

"A significant section is open already," Laing said in a recent interview, noting that the Nova Scotia Community College has leased 75,000 square feet for its aviation training program. "It’s working out well for NSCC," he said.

The community college has a new waterfront campus across the street from Dartmouth Gate.

Laing said work is underway to divide the remaining Dartmouth Gate space into four fairly large retail units, adding that Southwest has already leased a 25,000-square-foot space to Value Village, which, he said, expects to open a new store in June.

"We’re in the process of starting work on the masonry, glass and siding for the storefronts," he said, adding that changes to the centre’s parking areas and other site preparation work have been completed.

Laing, who would not disclose what Southwest paid for the Moirs property or what it is spending on renovations, said the company is seeking additional tenants for the space.

"It’s coming along well," he said, comparing Dartmouth Gate to Southwest’s transformation of the former Moosehead Brewery in Burnside Park into Windmill Crossing, a mixed office, retail and warehouse complex.

"We saved it and turned it into something new for the community," he said, adding that Dartmouth Gate will have a similar impact in its neighbourhood.

"It’s adding to the community."