MetroPCS coming to new retail plaza in Groveton area

MetroPCS is going to be the first tenant in a small shopping plaza built in the Groveton area last year.

The new retail plaza at the intersection of Richmond Highway and East Lee Avenue has its first tenant: MetroPCS. 

The prepaid wireless service provider’s sign went up earlier this week, and the location is already listed on the MetroPCS website. Construction of the interior appears to be in the very early stages.

The plaza, which fronts Richmond Highway but is technically located at 2923 East Lee Avenue, features room for three businesses and was completed late last year. It has been empty since then.

The coming of MetroPCS marks the latest milestone in the recent history of the property, which long ago was a Dairy Queen but had been vacant for much of this century. In 2012, the property was purchased by the owner of the Del Ray Pizzeria in Alexandria and DRP in Belle Haven. Plans for a 6,000-square foot restaurant and brewery were announced in August 2013, the owner met with the local community and construction was expected to begin later that year. 

But it never happened. Plans for the brewhouse fell through, and the site sat idle for an extended period. In late 2015 construction began on the retail plaza. In December 2016, the property was sold to new owners. 

A call to a group listed as the site’s owner in Fairfax County permit documents was not immediately returned Wednesday.