Birmingham retail wish list (Montgomery, Hoover: theatre, moving to, activity)

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by raj kapoor

On the other hand, this could well be a store down US280 in the eastern part of Hoover. I doubt, but here is the scenario.

Jeffery Bayer developed Cahaba Village and brought WF here. He has 25,000 sq. feet of space open in a former Food World location at Inverness Plaza. (of which he just became one of the principals)
There actually is plenty of business in the corridor for two stores. Cahaba WF is serving Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Liberty Park, and Homewood. (not to mention those willing to drive from much farther.

If it ends up on the east o Hoover, it will means that there will be a third store on the west of Hoover. And as you pointed out, the WF at Cahaba is an over shopped store now, which begins to take away from its appeal for some people. It's always Xmas there, which does get old, if you live near by and just want to pick up some food.

Now that I know that the store is on the smaller side, that makes perfect sense. They must realize that this metro can easily support 2 or three of them and need to build a big one to support a high density area like North Shelby and let the Brookies have the Cahaba store back as more of a quiet little boutique store just for them.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Now that I know that the store is on the smaller side, that makes perfect sense. They must realize that this metro can easily support 2 or three of them and need to build a big one to support a high density area like North Shelby and let the Brookies have the Cahaba store back as more of a quiet little boutique store just for them.

Trust me. The Brookies are only a fraction of the people who shop there. You typically find them at the Western or the Publix. The prices at Whole Foods are insane. We'll eat at the Brasserie there on occasion when we want a cheap meal.

[bhamguy]

I think that any of the locations mentioned would work for Whole Foods. I do, however, feel that the 280 corridor maybe a little oversaturated with grocery stores; 2 Westerns, several Publix's, Winn Dixie, 2 Fresh Markets, coming soon Trader Joe's, etc. I could be wrong though, since the area is highly populated.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by bhamguy

I think that any of the locations mentioned would work for Whole Foods. I do, however, feel that the 280 corridor maybe a little oversaturated with grocery stores; 2 Westerns, several Publix's, Winn Dixie, 2 Fresh Markets, coming soon Trader Joe's, etc. I could be wrong though, since the area is highly populated.

You may have just made my point about WF going into Inverness or Greystone. The concentration of food businesses suggests that the numbers are attracting these companies.

We hear about food deserts; well this must be a food oasis.

Either way, the west Hoover area has to have one eventually, and it may be this one. There are thousands of homes west of the Galleria area that people forget. Not to mention, a store in that area will also server the recently more well to do homes out in Alabaster. (Ballantrae) And up on Shades Mountain.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Trust me. The Brookies are only a fraction of the people who shop there. You typically find them at the Western or the Publix. The prices at Whole Foods are insane. We'll eat at the Brasserie there on occasion when we want a cheap meal.

Well yeah, im saying lots of people from all over the place go there now. Ive never been in such a packed parking lot like that for a grocery store on a non holiday. When tj's opens up im sure a good bit of the trendy shoppers will be siphoned off. I can totally see how "real" shopping gets done at Western or publix for most mb and Cahaba area people.

I am amazed at how many grocery stores are announced and opening in this part of town. I hope they can all prosper but at the same time you have to wonder how people survived without so many choices.

[Tourian]

Whole Foods to open new store in Hoover as part of major shopping center redevelopment | AL.com
Old Belle it is, and the whole thing is getting a makeover. Time to blow up that Blockbuster.

The store will be located in the empty space that used to house Belle Foods, and before that, Bruno's, said David Ashford of Birmingham-based Southpace Properties, which represents the owner of Riverchase Village and handles leasing and management of the center.
The redevelopment project will be extensive, he added, with a new facade, as well as improvements to the parking lot, lighting, landscaping and common areas.
All areas of the shopping center will be a part of the makeover, he said, with the exception of current tenants Best Buy and PetSmart.

It is a good thing they just finished widening 31 right there...but it still won't be enough.

[bhamguy]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Whole Foods to open new store in Hoover as part of major shopping center redevelopment | AL.com
Old Belle it is, and the whole thing is getting a makeover. Time to blow up that Blockbuster.



It is a good thing they just finished widening 31 right there...but it still won't be enough.

I am with you...Blockbuster should be replaced by an exciting new restaurant. Something other than fast food. Newk's will be a nice addition to that center. I can also see a restaurant in the former Southern Wicker location. I guess we shall see.

[raj kapoor]

I'm glad we did not have to wait more than a day to get these details. lol

Good choice in that the center has become an eyesore.

They definitely need to re-evaluate the access which is terrible and dangerous right now.

(Tourian on target as usual)

[raj kapoor]

I never saw a date for WF to open in my sources. Today someone told me it was March 2015, but could not give me a source; does anyone know if a date was published. I find it very hard to believe they could be open in four and a half months.

Thanks

[Tourian]

I guess they must really not plan on doing too much remodeling. But even still that seems too quick. The outside i think looks fine -Bruno's did a fine job but they are claiming they are giving the whole thing a makeover. The inside is bland but that's just they way Belle was so they have to do something in there. So its quite the conundrum. I say 8 months to 1 year.

And i hope they come up with a rockin list of tenants to fill out the rest of those spots.