HUNTSVILLE – Food City, the supermarket that has plans to build six stores in the Huntsville metro area, announced its latest establishment will be along the sprouting Governors Drive area that features the Stovehouse entertainment and food district and the new Foundry and Range mixed-use development.
Food City purchased the site in front of the Caterpillar dealership and will build there.
“That’s valuable property,” Bill Kling, the Huntsville City Council member who represents District 4, told 256 Today.
Despite some reports, Thompson Tractor is not leaving.
“We are happy to be where we are and excited to have Food City as neighbors,” said a spokesperson for Thompson.
Kling also said while nothing is ready for announcement, he expects more businesses to move into that part of town on Governors Drive.
Meanwhile, Food City will be the first grocery store in the neighborhood since Winn Dixie packed up and left. It was housed at the Crossroads center on the corner of Triana Boulevard and Bob Wallace Avenue. The other closest grocery stores are the Walmart Neighborhood Store and Holiday Foods, both at the corner of Bob Wallace Avenue and Jordan Lane.
“There are going to be some restaurants and some retail but I don’t know the specifics just in general,” Kling said of the property along Governors Drive.
Food City held a groundbreaking in July at the U.S. 431 and Taylor Lane. According to earlier reports, the store is investing $90 million to build six stores and create 1,350 jobs in Huntsville over the next five years.
The first three locations – Phase I – include the Hampton Cove site, as well as North Memorial Parkway and U.S. 72 East.
Locations in Phase II will be Governors Drive, Alabama 53 and County Line Road. All Food City locations will offer additional retail space for lease to create new retail centers, according to city officials.
Each store will offer customary grocery items; a full-service bakery, deli and café; full-service Starbucks (with exception to the Governors Drive store due to the existing downtown location); custom seafood and meat markets; full-service pharmacy with drive-thru; fuel center; and curbside pickup (with some locations offering home delivery).
