[Dariusb]

Texarkana is poised to continue its explosive retail growth by landing a new shopping mall right in the middle of a northwest side development hot spot. The Shoppes at West Park is planned for acreage north of I-30 between Gander Mountain and the Orr Auto Group dealerships. According to the website of the developer, MBC Holdings of Jonesboro, Ark., and Memphis, the first phase of the development comprises about 700,000 square feet of land near University Avenue and I-30. The project is described as being in its initial development stage. The Texarkana trade area includes more than 300,000 residents. The Shoppes at West Park will seek out a variety of different shoppers. It's estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars leave the area every year because people don't have choices here. The Shoppes is planned to be an outdoor mall with a distinctive look. It embraces the village concept and creates a little cityscape. The main mall area planned for Texarkana, which is called a lifestyle center, and the power center located next to it amount to nearly a million square feet. Power centers are normally anchored by a grocery store. The main lifestyle center portion of The Shoppes will consist of 3 department stores, restaurant spaces and other retail properties. The Shoppes will border the booming Texarkana Pavillion and Richmond Ranch shopping complexes. Apartments and condos are also planned for the area. Richard Reynolds, a local developer, said the area is already considered to be a little Dallas for people in surrounding towns. He also said that with all the new proposed development, more money will stay in Texarkana instead of going to other cities like Dallas and Shreveport. Texarkana, Tx, Mayor James Bramlett is excited about the project and thinks it to be a real catalyst to help further complete the parcel of property between Gander Mountain and the Pavillion shopping complex. Also property between University and Richmond Rd along Gibson Lane is expected to be developed as well. It also bodes well for Texarkana's economic future in the coming years even though the rest of the country appears to be in a slow down now the mayor added. In addition to The Shoppes at West Park MBC Holdings lists The Peabody Little Rock, The Mall at Turtle Creek in Jonesboro, and the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center under the property development section on its Website.

[Dariusb]

City to get new sports store
Officials say Texas-based business to open this fall near Lowes
By: Kristie Avery - Texarkana Gazette - Published: 03/21/2010

Sports and outdoor enthusiasts soon will have a new place to shop.

Academy Sports + Outdoors is scheduled to set up shop this fall. The company purchased the land at Walton Drive and University Avenue near Lowe’s Home Improvement Center.

“This market gives us another opportunity to expand our footprint in the Southeast, and we believe that customers in Texarkana will embrace our comprehensive sports, outdoors and lifestyle product offerings,” said John Hay, Academy’s vice president of real estate.

The Texas-based company operates 120 stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. They offer products to fit every outdoor personality and lifestyle.

“We welcome them to our retail community,” said Jerry Sparks, Texarkana, Texas, economic development director. “It’s been a pleasure working with their planning team.”

Local developer Richard Reynolds brokered the deal.

According to the company’s Website, Academy got its start in 1938 when founder Max Gochman opened Academy Tire Shop in San Antonio. Years later, Gochman began selling military supplies. He moved his shop to Austin in 1956, operating under Academy Super Surplus and expanded to four stores.

Gochman’s son, Arthur, began developing stores in Houston in 1973. Arthur opened six Academy Super Surplus locations and the business continued to grow.

In the 1980s, sports and outdoor products were added, evolving the surplus outlets into a full-line sporting goods store. By 1990, Academy Sports + Outdoors grew to include 28 locations in Texas.

The company employs more than 13,000 associates in its 120 stores. Academy has experienced a compounded yearly sales growth rate of 17 percent over the last 10 years. It ranks as the highest in sales per store and highest sales per square foot of sporting goods stores in the nation.

Academy’s philosophy is to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience by providing convenience, offering a broad selection of quality products, delivering exceptional customer service and selling the right stuff at everyday low prices.

Academy officials did not release information about the expected size of the store or how many they expected to employ. As the project progresses, more information would be released, they said.

“Academy is looking forward to being an integral part of the community,” Hay said.

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