Swampscott’s Zoning Board of Appeals approved special permission Wednesday for the Cava location soon to open at 450 Paradise Road to install a third sign.

Town bylaws allow businesses to have two signs, but the board determined that two would leave part of Cava’s storefront facing the parking lot without a visible sign.

Vinnin Square is undergoing some significant visible changes. Fast and Beauty has closed and been replaced by Fit Ritual, a new fitness center. The former Bertucci’s space is now home to Sam Walker’s American Tavern.

In addition to filling vacant storefronts, Centercorp is adding three new outparcel buildings, one of which will be Cava, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain known for its rice bowls, pita wraps and other customizable dishes.

The third sign will measure 30 square feet and will be installed on the west side of the building.

“Two signs isn’t always enough,” said Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Heather Roman.

Roman noted that the board had a similar discussion in the past involving Santander Bank, which helped pave the way for a quick approval for Cava.

“The nice thing with Cava too is they’re not really oversigning it,” said Craig Murphy of CRG Graphics, who was representing Cava at the meeting. “Their signs are very simple, there are only four letters…Cava is very dignified in their branding approach.”

In addition to the third storefront sign, the board approved three small signs designating parking spaces reserved for pickup orders.

“I actually think that’s good because we have that problem at Panera, where people are parking right in front of it,” said Roman.

While new businesses are entering Vinnin Square, Premier Martial Arts closed after five years in operation at the mall, citing increased rent. 

Flip the Bird also announced it was closing up shop due food costs, higher operating expenses and increasing rent as factors in the decision. Flip the Bird also pointed to ongoing construction in the area, which it said has made access difficult for customers.

The next phase will bring a 160-unit apartment building located behind the Stop & Shop grocery store. Piles of dirt and construction equipment are now on site.

The redevelopment project is expected to take a while to complete. Andrew Rose, a principal at Centercorp and the property’s owner, previously estimated completion by the end of 2027.