McAlister’s Deli is coming to Greenwood next year, according to local developer Channing Hodges.
He said he is in the process of purchasing the Three Rivers Inn and Suites property at 900 W. Park Ave., which will be demolished and developed into three lots, including the McAlister’s location. He will be the franchisee for the site.
McAlister’s Deli was founded in Mississippi in 1989 and has 39 locations in the state and more than 500 nationwide, according to its website.
“McAlister’s is a company that we’ve shopped for a long time, me and my family, in Grenada,” he said. “Love the company. Love the products. It’s just a great company, and I’m excited to get started with them.”
He said that his current businesses, including The Landing convenience store at 2218 U.S. 82, will “go well side by side” with McAlister’s.
“They don’t really compete with each other,” he said.
He said he should have contracts and permits finalized by late spring. The process of cleaning the property is expected to begin in June, and the structure is to be torn down in August if everything goes according to schedule.
Two lots, a little over an acre in size each, and one lot of nearly 2 acres will be constructed. He said he also will add a new road to assist with traffic. At this time, there are no plans for what businesses will occupy the other two lots, but Hodges said he will lease them out.
He said the goal is to open the McAlister’s in the first quarter of 2023.
Three Rivers Inn and Suites, formerly a Ramada Inn, is owned by Jack Ahuja.
Hodges appeared before the Greenwood City Council on Tuesday to request assistance in covering the demolition through the Mississippi Economic Redevelopment Act.
The law allows him to cover the costs of the demolition with 100% of the sales tax proceeds generated from businesses on the lots through the first six years, with the percentages declining over time, down to 50% in years 10 through 15.
“The demolition on this property is extremely high (in cost) because of asbestos and other environmental issues,” Hodges said. “It will take about 60 days to remediate, pull all of those environmental issues out, and then we’ll start demolition.”
He told the council that the risk is entirely on him, and if his businesses on the property don’t succeed, he doesn’t get any sales tax to help him cover the cost.
Angela Curry, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation, said the law is “a great tool that encourages economic development by creating new jobs and investment.”
“I commend Channing and his team on their efforts to help grow our community,” she said.
- Contact Kevin Edwards at 662-581-7233 or kedwards@gwcommonwealth.com.
