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Leesville's Market Basket will soon move to a new location in Leesville, according to Market Basket president Skylar Thompson.
The new location, at the intersection of Hwys. 28 and 171 will feature a 40,000 square foot facility which is almost double the size of the existing store. The company is in the process of finalizing the drawings now, said Thompson who also said he believes that Vernon Parish and Leesville will have no problem supporting another grocery store.
"We feel like because of the size of our parking lot and facility right now, people are having to go to Wal-Mart and the commissary more," he said.
Expansion at the present location was limited because of parking and the current structure, Thompson said.
"We're just extremely excited to be building a new store in Leesville," he added. "It's been a great community to do business in."
The new store will feature a bakery/deli with a sit-down area and large meat, produce and frozen food departments. Current employees, which number about 50, will have the option to transfer to the new facility. An additional 30 more employees will also be hired.
Market Basket purchased about 4.5 acres of land from area resident Russell Bailes in order to construct the new facility, said Thompson.
Last July, in preparation for Market Basket's move, the City of Leesville annexed about 55 acres north of the City, including the property purchased by Market Basket.
Thompson said he hopes to break ground in about three months with site work and the construction of a private road connected to
Hwy. 171 and to be located on the side of the store.
According to Nick Verrett, district engineer for DOTD in Alexandria, the roundabout is on track to be let at least by June of 2010, possibly a few months earlier.
"That particular roundabout is being funded partially with state budget surplus," Verrett added. Market Basket also kicked in $125,000 since the roundabout will help accommodate traffic to the new store, while the remainder is coming from federal funds from the Highway Safety Program. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.7 million.
The target date for the store's opening is January 2011.
Market Basket has been in Leesville for about seven years, said Thompson, and has a total of 14 locations in Louisiana and 16 in Texas, employing about 2,000 people.
Leesville's Market Basket will soon move to a new location in Leesville, according to Market Basket president Skylar Thompson.
The new location, at the intersection of Hwys. 28 and 171 will feature a 40,000 square foot facility which is almost double the size of the existing store. The company is in the process of finalizing the drawings now, said Thompson who also said he believes that Vernon Parish and Leesville will have no problem supporting another grocery store.
"We feel like because of the size of our parking lot and facility right now, people are having to go to Wal-Mart and the commissary more," he said.
Expansion at the present location was limited because of parking and the current structure, Thompson said.
"We're just extremely excited to be building a new store in Leesville," he added. "It's been a great community to do business in."
The new store will feature a bakery/deli with a sit-down area and large meat, produce and frozen food departments. Current employees, which number about 50, will have the option to transfer to the new facility. An additional 30 more employees will also be hired.
Market Basket purchased about 4.5 acres of land from area resident Russell Bailes in order to construct the new facility, said Thompson.
Last July, in preparation for Market Basket's move, the City of Leesville annexed about 55 acres north of the City, including the property purchased by Market Basket.
Thompson said he hopes to break ground in about three months with site work and the construction of a private road connected to
Hwy. 171 and to be located on the side of the store.
According to Nick Verrett, district engineer for DOTD in Alexandria, the roundabout is on track to be let at least by June of 2010, possibly a few months earlier.
"That particular roundabout is being funded partially with state budget surplus," Verrett added. Market Basket also kicked in $125,000 since the roundabout will help accommodate traffic to the new store, while the remainder is coming from federal funds from the Highway Safety Program. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.7 million.
The target date for the store's opening is January 2011.
Market Basket has been in Leesville for about seven years, said Thompson, and has a total of 14 locations in Louisiana and 16 in Texas, employing about 2,000 people.
