Baxter officials believe they are a step closer to attracting a major grocery chain to the area.
City Mayor Danny Homes said the city plans to reach out to several major corporations. City Building Inspector Bob Lane said grocery stores look for areas with many people that will shop at the store they will construct and Baxter is building that residential brand.
“We keep talking about rooftops, we probably aren’t aware of just how many are being built,” Lane said. “I almost got writers cramp in here the other day signing permits. Anatolia’s building their building, D.R. Horton bought a load of permits.”
Lane said the city is developing faster than years prior, as many older, inhabitable structures are being bought and either remodeled or torn down to build houses. Lane said construction of a new neighborhood around Del Mars Lane will add many roofs in a concentrated, residential area.
“We’ll finally have enough roof tops to justify a grocery store,” Lane said.
The city gave a presentation to Food City a few years previous, trying to attract the store chain to the area. Lane said the investment to come to the area was steep, reaching $15 million. Lane said he knew the deal did not seem realistic for the city at the time with the amount of roofs it had.
“Until they know it’s going to work, they’re not going to throw down $15 million dollars,” Lane said. “But these rooftops are getting us closer and closer to that mark.”
Bennett said the city has been able to accomplish many things, with work still to do.
“It’s been a busy year,” Bennett said. “I think if you look back at the amount of money that has been expended on infrastructure in this community it’s quite extensive.”
Holmes said he feels like the city has enough land for any major grocery chain. Homes agreed with Lane, saying the deal would happen soon for the city.
“I think that they just don’t realize what potential they will have here,” Holmes said. “You know, when McDonald’s came in, they’re the number one McDonald’s around, here in Baxter. NAPA, they had no idea and they’re number one.”