Gentleman and ladies, don’t start rolling those shopping carts just yet.
An Aldi store was all ready to take shape at the corner of U.S. 301 and Sun City Center Boulevard; however, permitting issues have pushed back the opening to at least next summer.
“I am swimming in ‘yes, no problem’ [answers from local and state regulatory bodies],” said Denny Pentecost of MQ Partners, the development company in charge of the sale. “Then I ask if we can get [papers] signed off, and I am told ‘you know we have 15 days to respond.’ That is the kind of stuff we are getting. It’s tough,” said a clearly frustrated Pentecost.
“That property is as simple as simple gets [in terms of getting approvals] but I have had to push my lease off with Aldi because we have to deliver Aldi all the [permitting] approvals.”
Once approved — Pentecost is optimistic that will be within the next few weeks — construction should take seven to eight months. Major construction will not take place for 40 to 45 days after all permits are secured while the company does its own internal engineering on the project.
The discount supermarket, known for its low prices and shoppers bringing their own bags, is taking over Village Plaza, the longtime home of several businesses and a row of store fronts. Those stores have already been demolished, and black tarp surrounds the property, awaiting construction crews.
The Aldi store, which will be golf-cart friendly, will occupy a part, but not all of, the three-acre property. Plans call for possibly two other businesses on the lot; however, they will not take shape until Aldi is in place.
“The whole piece is a little bit more than three and a half acres. But there are two different ownership groups on the piece, and I don’t want to confuse,” said Pentecost. With Aldi all but secured as the anchor store, that leaves about one and a half acres on the southern edge of the lot.
“I have nothing concrete on [the remaining one and a half acres], but I have had a lot of interest, and it may be a pick and choose who I want to put there,” Pentecost said.
MQ Partners is already eyeing several other South County properties for future commercial development. “I have at least seven or eight sites to look at [this] week,” said Pentecost, who will be prospecting properties from the Riverview area down to Apollo Beach.