After years of planning and months of anticipation, Emporia Pavilions will officially add new retail options to northwest Emporia.
Developer Spencer Thomson tells KVOE News three retailers are confirmed via news release, with Ross Dress for Less and Shoe Show coming to town. The third business, confirmed through city records, is Marshall’s. Thomson is relieved to make this announcement.
Thomson says retail has suffered from the expansion of online sales and COVID-19, but the companies coming in have a solid financial history and the retailers recognize the potential of markets Emporia’s size. Emporia Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt agrees.
The businesses will go next to Hobby Lobby, which opened in August 2017 after several years of discussions between Thomson and city commissioners. Thomson says one to three other businesses could be announced within the next two months. He also says the lengthy zoning process noted with Hobby Lobby won’t be needed for the upcoming businesses, and most of the preliminary approvals have already been secured. There are several pad sites on the south side of the property designed for restaurants, and those are actively being marketed.
This will essentially double the amount of retail space in use at the property. If all goes well, the new tenants could be open for business within a year or so.
