Architect’s rendering of completed plaza at 130 Main Street.
The new Domino’s Pizza shop, the subject of controversy when proposed two years ago to demolish an iconic church at the corner of Winter and Main Streets, is set to open at the end of the month.
Domino’s replaces the former St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church at 130 Main St. The pizza shop will be joined at the new strip-style plaza by an ice cream shop and dentist office, developer David D. Jenks told Haverhill License Commission members Thursday night.
The ice cream shop, whose name hasn’t yet been revealed will feature walk-up windows inside its storefront.
Jenks, of North Reading, owns 32 shops in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine through his Boston Pie company. Receiving his restaurant and entertainment permits Thursday, he said he will vacate his current operation at 57 Dudley Street. He said he has been associated with Domino’s since 1985 and an owner since 1995. The store will be managed by Robert Chester, but all permits were issued subject to the granting of final occupancy permits.
Domino’s and associated businesses will share 40 parking spaces adjacent to the building.
Unlike a previous plan to locate a Burger King at the intersection, formally known as Atwood Square, the Domino’s proposal required no zoning variances since it does not have a drive-up. Although the church building, which had a storied past, is considered historic, there were no legal prohibitions against demolishing it.
City councilors defeated an ordinance in 2016 which would have granted the Haverhill Historic Commission authority to both delay demolition of properties in the Main Street Historic District and regulate designs of new buildings. Most councilors argued St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church parishioners needed money from the sale of the church to complete a new building that has been in the works for 15 years.