El Pollo Rico’s return not good for all in strip mall

Wheaton’s El Pollo Rico reopened its doors last week, but the long lines for its succulent chicken weren’t translating into increased business for neighboring stores in the Ennalls Avenue strip mall, according to shopkeepers.

The rotisserie chicken mecca had been closed since mid-July, when its owners were charged with harboring illegal immigrants, structuring deposits to avoid currency reporting requirements and money laundering. Six alleged illegal immigrants working at the restaurant were detained as part of a federal investigation into whether the restaurant’s owners employed and harbored illegal immigrants.