Grocery Stores, High-End, Local Restaurants: Manassas Residents Share Wishlist

MANASSAS, VA — Readers shared desires for types of new businesses they'd like to see around Manassas, from small businesses to well-known restaurants and grocery stores.

We had about 60 responses from the three-day survey distributed to Manassas and Manassas Park readers. Trader Joe's was the top response among respondents for desired businesses. Multiple respondents voiced support for new grocery stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Wegmans opening in Manassas.

"Most people love TJ's but do not want to go all the way to Centreville because of the type of area," said one anonymous reader. "Being in Manassas will help the City of Manassas and PWC having one so close because it'll draw in business and bring more people to Manassas also."

One reader called for healthier food options, noting the presence of fast food and non-food businesses.

"Please add health food options and grocery stores like Whole Foods and Wegmans," the anonymous reader wrote. "I would also welcome Indian/Asian grocery stores like Lotte Plaza. Right now we are surrounded by only fast food restaurants or car washes or auto body shops around us. We also need good mid-tier or upscale restaurants around us as much as possible."

Another trend was a call for more locally-owned small businesses.

Reader William Sisson suggested creating a downtown with high-quality, non-chain and non-fast food restaurants, similar to Virginia towns like Middleburg, Culpeper and Warrenton.

"Small towns with big taste in restaurants bring in millions of revenue, create jobs for locals and increases the quality of life for everyone," Sisson shared.

Others said no additional businesses are necessary.

"I would rather see more parks and recreation areas. Trails, and community gardens. Places for people to gather and enjoy the outdoors. Which do not contribute to traffic, noise, or air pollution," wrote reader Mike Smith.

"We need more parks, playgrounds, bike paths, walking paths and family friendly areas," added another anonymous reader.

Restaurants and other food businesses desired by readers included:

• Trader Joe's
• Any of the Great American Restaurants
• Captain D's
• Long John Silver's
• Wegmans
• Cooper's Hawk
• Lazy Daisy
• Chuy's
• Sweetwater Tavern
• CAVA
• Shake Shack
• Coastal Flats
• Martin's
• Publix
• Restaurants like PoFolks
• Fresh Market
• Whataburger
• Kroger
• Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
• Silver Diner

General types of restaurants or food businesses desired were:

• Soda shop
• Nice date-night restaurants
• Better quality restaurants that are not fast food and chain
• Old-fashioned diner or something with American food
• Higher-end restaurants
• German restaurant
• Large grocery stores that are not part of a chain or corporation
• Walk up ice cream stands
• A boutique hotel instead of a parking lot in the center of town
• Any sort of fish restaurant
• Natural and/or organic veggie juices/fruit Juices/smoothies in Old Town Manassas
• More locally-owned restaurants
• Restaurant brunch with day parties
• Bars
• Healthy fast casual
• Barbecue restaurant
• Wine and cheese shop with fresh bread
• Quality Mexican restaurant
• Indoor farmers market

Other types of businesses sought by readers include:

• Skating rink in the middle of Manassas Mall
• Day labor temp services
• A boutique hotel instead of a parking lot in the center of town
• A fabric/sewing notions store
• Independent movie theater
• Upscale entertainment
• Manassas Local Club (for social gatherings and entertainment)
• Hobby Lobby
• Wild bird store for bird feeding
• Downtown hotel
• Clothing stores
• More stores off Liberia Avenue
• JCPenney
• AMC Theater
• Target
• Toy store
• Christian bookstore, cafe or restaurant
• Herbal natural store
• Outdoor sports store

Assessing the Business Climate

We also asked readers which areas could see improvements in business vitality. The Manassas Mall was identified as an area of improvement by 46.7 percent of respondents, followed by 43.3 percent for downtown/Old Town Manassas, 40 percent for the Sudley Road corridor, 38.3 percent for the Liberia Avenue corridor and 28.3 percent for the Route 28 corridor. Other areas readers want to see improvements are the Nokesville and Brentsville area of Route 28, Innovation corridor near George Mason University's Manassas Campus, and the Route 234 corridor between I-66 and Independent Hill and Bristow.

Some readers provided comments on what could make these areas better.

"Old Town Manassas is ok for about 2 blocks and then fizzles out to nothing," Sisson wrote. "Building up of surrounding areas, like Old Town Alexandria, would make this area rich in attracting tourist and provide more social activities for us locals; with something good to eat, drink and do."

"Manassas needs to do more to support the small businesses," said an anonymous reader. "Small businesses shouldn't need to struggle so much to get by. The price of rent/taxes are killing all of our great local and unique businesses.

Some readers believe shoppers may have to go to surrounding areas to find more options.

"Manassas Mall and Mathis Avenue locations should have more sit down restaurants and large store shopping options," said reader Ernest Pino.

"It would be nice to have better clothing stores in Manassas. Otherwise you need to go to Gainesville or Fairfax," added reader Sharon.

Others believe factors like fast-growing development and traffic have a negative impact on business.

"Manassas Mall needs to NOT be turned into housing like PWC did where the old movie theater used to be - it draws OUT business," an anonymous reader said.

"Traffic is horrific. People avoid Manassas because they don't want to get stuck in traffic, especially during rush hour," another anonymous reader shared. "This has a negative impact on businesses in Manassas."

Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap