Ireland-based company buys MarketFare firm
Ireland-based Greencore Group has purchased MarketFare Foods, which has a large production plant off U.S. 17 near McLane Mid-Atlantic in Stafford County.
Phoenix-based MarketFare produces items such as salads and sandwiches that are sold in 7-Elevens and other convenience stores. About 200 people work at the Stafford plant.
Dublin-based Greencore purchased the business last month for $36 million, according to an announcement. The company was previously owned by Swander Pace Capital, Silver Brands Partners and New York Life Capital Partners.
Greencore's CEO said in a prepared statement that the acquisition represents "an excellent opportunity" to grow the company's U.S. food-to-go business.
A Greencore spokesman said the acquisition should be positive for the Stafford plant, as the company has ambitions to grow in the U.S. He said more people will probably be hired locally in the coming months.
New eateries coming to Greenbrier center
New eateries are coming to the Greenbrier Shopping Center off State Route 3 in Fredericksburg.
TAJ Indian Cuisine has signed a lease to occupy 3,000 square feet at 2032 Plank Road next to Jay's Restaurant & Lounge, which is under development.
In addition, Gunny's BBQ will open at the former Allman's Bar-B-Q location at the shopping center following a renovation.
Allman's closed that site earlier this year after deciding not to renew the lease. Owner Matt Haney said he will focus instead on Allman's growing catering operation and its flagship location off U.S. 1 in the city.
A Boost Mobile store also recently opened at the Greenbrier center.
Coldwell Banker firm expanding in the city
A fast-growing roster of agents has led Coldwell Banker Carriage House Realty to expand its downtown Fredericksburg office.
The company recently leased the other front suite at 520 William St., a space formerly occupied by Virginia Neighbors magazine. The firm now leases about 11,000 square feet of the building, or nearly 60 percent of the facility.
CB Carriage House principal Lewis Graves and the King family co-own the building, whose only remaining vacancy is 3,500 square feet of space on the second floor that hasn't yet been built out for a tenant.
CB Carriage House has added 12 new agents in the past year, which has garnered the firm recognition for growth from its Coldwell Banker parent. The firm, which attributes the growth to a combination of offering licensing courses and a renewed confidence in the real-estate market, now has 54 full-time agents.
Site work under way at Spotsy subdivision
Site work has begun at a new subdivision off Tidewater Trail in Spotsylvania County that will eventually have 57 single-family homes.
Collins Contracting Co. is now doing the site work at what will become the Pelham's Reserve neighborhood. The main entrance will be off Jim Morris Road, and the subdivision will connect to the existing Pelham's Crossing neighborhood at Napoleon Street.
--Bill Freehling