April 6, 2006 Issue                                               

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Jain yanks proposal

Sanjiv Jain of Legacy Real Estate has withdrawn his proposal for a controversial bar/restaurant at the 8528 Germantown Ave., former site of the Yankee Candle Co.

Jain said Legacy has signed a lease for the property with Penzeys Spices, a specialty retail company that sells spices and herbs. The company’s headquarters are in Wisconsin, but it has stores nationwide.

At its March meeting, the Chestnut Hill Community Association tabled its decision to support the zoning variance request that would have allowed a restaurant/bar in the site, now home to the Rug Maven liquidation sale. Board members and residents expressed concerns about the stress on parking, the selling of alcohol and potential for noise from performances.

The space will still be donated for Pastorius Park Concerts fundraising and the Senior Center’s Book Sale, as previously promised.

There was no word on when Penzeys Spice would open.

— Kirstin Pazulski