Construction has been sidestepped for more than a decade due to a group of local residents called Save Our Neighborhood. The organization claims the project would create too much traffic, noise, crime and unreasonable environmental harm.

Leonard bought the 41-acre parcel in 1996 for 2.2 million dollars and is now asking 14.5 million dollars.

“Why not see what happens? We want to leave all our options open,” Leonard said. “Were not looking at opening anything in Connecticut.”

With stores in Norwalk, Newington and Danbury, CT and Yonkers, NY the family is, however, looking to open other stores in surrounding states where the real estate market recovers.

The land in Orange is currently being used as a cornfield.