Third Publix store to open in Dothan

Jul 04, 2009 (Dothan Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- PUSH | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- A sign marking a new business will go up next week at a 1970s shopping center at the corner of Ross Clark Circle and Montgomery Highway.

Publix Super Markets has signed an agreement to move into Northside Mall after a major face-lift is completed next year. John Hogue of Development Company LLC of Birmingham said the mega-grocer will occupy the space previously home to Michael's and Goody's.

The store will be 45,000 square feet and additional retail space will be developed as part of the project.

"We're very excited about it," Hogue said. "They're a great operator."

Hogue's announcement to the Eagle on Friday ends months of speculation about the project, first discussed last October as plans for a major remodeling for the mall came before the Dothan Planning Commission for approval.

Demolition and construction is expected to begin this fall with Publix opening by October or November of 2010. That is basically the same time frame for the construction of Cottonwood Corners at Cottonwood Road and Ross Clark Circle, where Publix will be the anchor store, and just ahead of a third Publix development, Westway, at John D. Odom Road and U.S. 84 West.

Mayor Pat Thomas said he is pleased it is official. The developer contacted the city and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce officials about six or eight months ago, he said, but a confidentiality agreement has kept the project under wraps.

"This is terribly important for Dothan," Thomas said. "The Publix story has evolved over the years. First there was going to be one store in Dothan, but since it was so far from their distribution area, there needed to be two. Then there needed to be three.

"We are thrilled there will be three Publix. It means a lot to our community. When you bring in a Publix, you also bring in 11 to 12 other businesses around them. It expands our regional draw. Twelve months from groundbreaking this fall, all three stores will be operational."

Hogue said the development will include the construction of new retail spaces, the renovation of existing retail space, the addition of an outparcel and improvements to the parking areas.

Publix will join Stein Mart, Books-A-Million, Northside Cinemas, and Home Depot as Northside Mall tenants. The Development Company is currently purchasing the mall from The Lightstone Group of Lakewood, N.J., Hogue said.

The other two Publix locations, at Cottonwood Corners and Westway, are being developed by Institutional Investments Corp. of Montgomery. Just last week city commissioners approved a Brownfield Tax Abatement for the Cottonwood location.

Northside Mall owners have worked consistently to keep the property current. Several years ago the old Wal-Mart building was torn down and the new Home Depot constructed.

A large amount of retail space has sat vacant for more than a year, since Michael's relocated to the Dothan Pavilion. Goody's, citing poor sales, closed its doors nationwide early this year, creating more empty space in the shopping center.

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