Lakeland, Florida-based Publix Supermarket will anchor a new shopping center on Georgia 400 in Dawsonville in south Dawson county. Previously referred to as a "major national grocery store," Publix's regional Media & Community Relations Manager Brenda Reid confirmed to me that Publix will anchor "Dawson Crossroads." According to Reid, the store should open about ten months after construction begins. Based on that timeline, I'd expect the store to open late next year.
"Dawson Crossroads" will feature a roughly 46,000 square foot "prototype" Publix, as well as a roughly 21,000 square foot "junior anchor." The center will also have a number of inline suites as well as a handful of outparcels totaling about another 30,000 square feet.
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| The location of Dawson Crossroads |
Atlanta-based Halpern Enterprises is developing the 29 acre center. Dawson Crossroads will be constructed in front of a planned 24 acre, 300 unit apartment complex, which is part of the project but reportedly being developed by someone other than Halpern Enterprises. The retail portion is said to contain about 100,000 square feet of "leaseable" space.
Brooklyn Joe's Pizzeria, Lee Nails and Great Clips have all confirmed they will be among the center's "inline" tenants. Chili's will occupy a 4,500 square foot outparcel, one of the six in the center. Both McDonald's as well as a currently dual branded Taco Bell were reportedly interested in relocating to the center, but a source says they are not currently involved in talks.
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| Artists rendering of the Publix at Dawson Crossroads |
A representative from Halpern Enterprises indicated that the company is in negotiations with an Atlanta-based quick serve burger franchise, an Atlanta-based casual Mexican restaurant, a national Mexican quick serve eatery and a national smoothie franchise.
Dawson Crossroads is situated at the southeast corner of Georgia 400 & Dawson Forest Road, just south of the North Georgia Premium Outlets.
Literally a stone's throw away, at the southwest corner of Georgia 400 & Dawson Forest Road, the 110 acre "Dawson Marketplace" is planned. Atlanta-based Blanchard Real Estate is developing Dawson Marketplace, which will be anchored by a giant 113,000 (possibly as large as 123,000 according to some) square foot Kroger Marketplace store and accompanying 9 pump gas station. The Kroger Marketplace store will mean the closure of the nearby 71,000 square foot Kroger at Dawson Village, less than a mile north, which opened in the late 90s.
Kroger Marketplace is a large format Kroger introduced in Georgia in late 2013 in Carrollton. According to the Kroger website, "Along with the huge variety of fresh foods you expect, Kroger Marketplace® is the only store you need for Home Fashion and Décor, Bed and Bath, Kitchen and Small Appliances, Home Office and Toys."
Today Georgia has Kroger Marketplace stores in Gainesville, Savannah, Carrollton and Athens with others planned for Glenwood, Snellville, Augusta, and Cartersville.
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| Location of Dawson Marketplace |
Interestingly enough, both the current and future Kroger centers are leased by Atlanta-based The Shopping Center Group. A "For Lease" document for Dawson Village already lists the 71,000 anchor space as a "former Kroger" despite the store likely not closing for at least a year.
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| It's likely the Dawsonville Marketplace store will sport this new look |
Dawson Marketplace is also set to have a nearly 87,000 square foot "junior anchor" as well as over a dozen smaller shops and outparcels. A handful of the smaller inline and outparcel spaces are reportedly "at lease" with prospective tenants.
The Kroger is reportedly "on track" to open next fall.
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| Artists rendering of Dawson Marketplace |
Clearly Kroger and Publix are going in different directions when it comes to the sizes and offerings of each of their stores.
Are you in favor of giant "everything under one roof""Marketplace stores," or do you prefer to shop at small, simpler grocery stores? What other stores or restaurants would you like to see open in the new centers? What should open in the current Kroger?
Please share your thoughts below.