Fence frustrates shoppers

Shoppers and businesses alike were confused Tuesday when they found a fence had been put up in the parking lot of the Home Loan Plaza on Airport Road, separating a few parking lanes between Dave’s Marketplace next door and the rest of the lot.

Shopper David Rocke contacted the Beacon about the fence and wondered if it was Dave’s that had installed it. He said he also talked to other shoppers who were frustrated that it cut off the access point to the parking lot and entrance to Dave’s on Warwick Avenue. Those shopping at the marketplace had to park within the confines of the fence.

Indeed, a trip to the plaza on Wednesday morning proved people were confused – a few motorists were seen driving to the end of the fence, stopping, and backing up once drivers realized they could not drive through the lot to access Warwick Avenue.

Those working at the Home Loan Investment Bank declined to comment, but others inside neighboring Subway and Great Clips said they didn’t know why it was there. A store manager and cashier working at Dave’s both said the marketplace had not in fact put up the fence and that they’d been having to explain that to many of their customers throughout the day.

“I can confirm that it’s not us. We would never inconvenience our customers that way,” said Sue Budlong, the marketing and communications manager for Dave’s.

Others thought Home Loan had installed the fence. In response, Brian J. Murphy, president and chairman of Home Loan, made the following statement:

"Over the past couple of years, we have asked Dave's Marketplace to participate in discussions regarding the portion of our property that we have made available to them. We have enjoyed a neighborly relationship with Dave's Marketplace for decades, and out of courtesy for our shared neighbors, we hope we can resolve this matter in a timely fashion.”

Future plans in regards to the lot are dependent upon an agreement being reached between the two parties, another Home Loan representative said. 

Budlong also said “rest assured, we are looking to resolve the issue.”