June 3, 2009

STORRS CENTER SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT WITH
MEXICAN STYLE RESTAURANT FOR FIRST PHASE OF PROJECT
Fast-growing national chain sees new Mansfield “Main Street” as special opportunity

Storrs, CT…Storrs Center has announced a new letter of intent agreement with a national restaurant chain to be a tenant in the first phase of the project. Moe’s Southwest Grill, a Mexican fare franchise, will be the second restaurant to make a preliminary commitment to the development. Last month, Vanilla Bean Café signed a similar letter of intent for Storrs Center.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is a well-priced, “quick serve” restaurant featuring burritos, quesadillas, nachos, salads and fajitas. The Moe’s experience centers on “welcoming your hunger and then satisfying it.” Every meal is customized specifically for the customer. Owned by Atlanta-based Focus Brands Company, the operation has franchises across the country. In Connecticut, restaurant locations include West Hartford, New Haven, South Windsor and Milford.

Macon Toledano, Vice President of Planning and Development for master developer LeylandAlliance, states, “We welcome the early commitment from Moe’s Southwest Grill. They exactly match one of the restaurant ‘profiles’ targeted through our ‘casting’ process. Moe’s will be a great addition to the commercial/retail tenant mix at the new Storrs Center Main Street.”

Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership adds, “We expect Moe’s to have a wide appeal to UConn students and faculty as well as local residents and visitors. Their reputation for relaxed dining at a reasonable price point should make them an ideal destination at Storrs Center.”