Despite published reports about new retail tenants at the old Wal-Mart location in Galesburg, Ken Springer says not so fast. But then, one retailer also said not so fast.
The President of the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development is saying “no official names” have been announced as tenants for the development despite published reports Thursday.
Springer says he has helped the developers as far as managing the city’s development process but can’t confirm or deny any possible tenants. He tells WGIL that is exciting for the community that work has begun in the building on National Boulevard that has sat empty for so long.
The pre-project work in the building has begun,” Springer says. “You can drive out there and see things happening but at this point a tenant announcement is way too premature.”
No sooner than Springer made that comment, then a spokesperson for PetSmart confirmed to WGIL via e-mail they will locate on the former Wal-Mart property. “Currently, we have a store planned at 2031 National Blvd. slated to open in the fall of 2018,” says a spokesperson for PetSmart, in an e-mail. “Since the grand opening date is several months out, we’re unable to provide further detail at this time.”
Meantime, another rumored development, Marshall’s, may or may not be coming. “Marshalls has not announced a new store in the Galesburg, IL area,” said Carly Lucas, Marketing Supervisor for Marshall’s parent T.J. Maxx, in an e-mail, providing no further comment.
It’s expected that five retail spaces will be included in the development eventually.
