A typical Five Below storefront sign measures 180.5 square feet.
That’s the sign the company wants on its planned Richmond store at 4615 National Road E., but that required a variance of development standards. It turns out the size is half of a square foot larger than the allowable 180 square feet for the 90-foot storefront.
Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals members voted 3-0 during their Aug. 14 meeting to approve the variance request. That means typical Five Below branding will replace the temporary sign that currently announces a fall opening.
The value retailer targets tweens and teens with room decor, toys and games, technology, beauty products, candy, sports equipment, party supplies and more, according to its website, fivebelow.com. Most items sell for $1 to $5.
The new store will go in the former Party City site between Plato’s Closet and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. It’s one of more than 150 new stores the franchise plans to open this year. Overall, Five Below, which opened its first store in 2002 in Wayne, Pennsylvania, operates more than 1,300 stores in 42 states.
The closest Five Below to Richmond now is in Greenville, Ohio.
BZA members also voted 3-0 to approve a variance of development standards that will permit a garage expansion at 3130 Hodgin Road. The expansion requires a reduction in the side-yard setback and will create a two-car garage.
A version of this article appeared in the August 21 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.