Juan Carrillo Purchases Vacant Commercial Property at Gloucester Point, Prepares to Open Multi-Purpose Commissary

January 31, 2018

Following renovations of iconic property, Carrillo anticipates creating more than 40 new jobs and bringing a new shopping experience to the area.

GLOUCESTER POINT, VIRGINIA (January 31, 2018) – Following years of sitting vacant, one of Gloucester Point’s most recognized commercial buildings will receive a much needed renovation, ushering in a new multi-purpose commissary business that will bring more than 40 new jobs, Juan Carrillo announced this week.

Earlier this month, Carrillo, of Juan’s Mexican Café and Cantina, purchased the former auction house, post office (which will continue to operate in its current location) and barbershop at Gloucester Point located just over the Coleman Bridge on U.S. Route 17.

The combined property includes 12,000 square-feet of commercial space. The largest structure, the old auction house and former grocery store owned by the Poland family, will be renovated by Carrillo and transformed into a commissary serving his family’s restaurants across the region as well as the general public.

“In the back of the building, we plan to use the space to house some of our operations and foods used in our restaurants,” Carrillo said. “We will be able to bring in large quantities of produce, fresh meats and seafood and use the location as a staging spot for the restaurants.”

In the front of the house is where the community will really benefit, Carrillo said.

Carrillo plans to open to the public what he’s now calling a commissary, offering the same foods available in his restaurants to the community to purchase.

“We are still planning out all the details, but we envision this becoming a little bodega of sorts for the community and offering not just fresh produce and proteins, but also ready-to-eat foods to go, craft beer, wine and more,” Carrillo said. “There really isn’t anything like this available at the southern end of the county and we hope it will complement the already growing businesses and other revitalization efforts happening in the area.”

The smaller building on the property will also welcome a new business next to the Gloucester Point U.S. Post Office. Carrillo has already leased the old barbershop space to D’Shawn Wright, who will return it to its heyday and open The Wright Cuts Barbershop & Salon with his brother, Jeffrey Holland.

“We will open in about 60 days and are looking to bring something different to Gloucester that’s also beneficial for the community,” said Wright, who also owns Body By D Gym & Fitness Center locations in Gloucester and Yorktown. “There is a drug problem in the county and we want to give young people a place to not just get a haircut, but also be around some positive influences and a place to talk.”

Wright anticipates creating six or more additional jobs at his barbershop location.

While the purchase of this property and opening of the new business adds to Carrillo’s Middle Peninsula businesses, which also include Elegant International Catering, he has spent recent years purchasing, renovating and opening additional Juan’s Mexican Café and Cantina locations, first in Newport News and most recently in Hampton.

“This is especially sweet for me because I consider Gloucester home,” Carrillo said. “It’s where I started the first restaurant, where we have made incredible friends and where we know we can truly make a difference.”

Carrillo joins a growing number of entrepreneurs and developers looking at once blighted Gloucester properties and asking not what could be built on the land if the buildings were demolished, but what the buildings could be turned into with a little vision.

“This is an exciting time for Gloucester, and especially Gloucester Point,” Carrillo said. “We can’t wait to see what the future brings not only for the commissary and our restaurants, but also the entire community.”

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