Providence stores prep for grand openings

February 7, 2006
A wave of grand openings are now set for Mt. Juliet's Providence MarketPlace, and with nearly a half dozen big-box retailers opening their doors by April's end, city officials are "racing" to prepare for the retail boom.
According to a list obtained by The Lebanon Democrat, 14 major retailers plan to begin operations by early October with the majority set to open in March and April.
Developers behind the massive South Mt. Juliet Road development added more than 40 smaller retailers and a dozen "sit-down" restaurants will likely open for business prior to the end of 2006.
"Most of them … will be open before Christmas," Carolina Holdings Vice President Bill Misiaveg said Monday of the smaller stores.
By that time, many of the project's anchor tenants will be in place. JC Penney is expected to lead the way when it officially opens its doors March 1. The department store will be followed closely by Target, Kroger and Best Buy – all set to hold grand openings next month.
While the stores' grand openings won't be until March, JC Penney and Target will have "soft openings" Feb. 26 and Feb. 28, respectively.
April will bring the opening of at least four more retail giants including PetSmart, Belk and Old Navy (see related list), and a multiscreen theater is set to open May 1.
Mt. Juliet City Planner Bobby Franklin said the city is working to ensure a planned road improvement which involves linking Belinda Parkway and Adams Lane is completed before flocks of shoppers descend on Providence MarketPlace.
"We're racing the clock to get these roads built as soon as possible, especially the Belinda Parkway relocation," Franklin said. "… We're trying our best to get the Belinda Parkway project relocating to Adams Lane before any of these things open. The goal would be to have that road ready and in place, but I doubt if it's going to be possible because of weather … but it's certainly going to be open pretty soon thereafter."
Relocating Belinda Parkway to "line up" with Adams Lane will create a better intersection and will push "the distance from the exit south off of Interstate 40 further away from the interstate," which Franklin said will allow motorists more time to merge into turning lanes and enter Providence MarketPlace.
Franklin and Misiaveg noted many eateries eyeing the MarketPlace's dozen outparcels will strive to open by the time Consolidated Theatre's multiplex opens in May.
Regarding road projects, Misiaveg said developers have been pleased with the pace of work.
"We're tremendously pleased with the partnership and the cooperation from both the city and the state relative the infrastructure improvements to the roadway system in and around the shopping center," he said.
Staff Writer Brian Harville can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16 or by e-mail at brian.harville@lebanondemocrat.com.