The Home Depot coming to Plymouth?
By Stacey Creasy
PLYMOUTH � New businesses coming to town are among the worst kept secrets in any city.
Plymouth is no exception to that rule.
Residents knew for weeks that Martin's Supermarket was coming to Plymouth before the company actually confirmed the rumor.
For months, local officials have been talking about the new Walgreens. Local land owners and Walgreens were working out a deal for the chain to open a store just south of Ponderosa, on North Michigan Street. Plymouth Mayor Jim Yeazel said Walgreens is coming. Doug Anspach, executive director of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said earlier this year the final details were still being worked out.
The latest rumors that appear to be fact are Home Depot is planning to open a super store on the far east side of the Pilgrim Place shopping center.
The land is owned by Chase Properties and Carl Stockberger.
Officials with Chase Properties have said for the past year they have been working on a deal to bring another anchor-type store to the shopping center area. Chase owns about 2,200 square feet just east of Staples, a store that did not turn out to be a success story in Plymouth. About two years after announcing its arrival, Staples confirmed they were closing the Plymouth site.
One of the latest rumors is Walgreens may be interested in the vacant Staples site, but Walgreens refuses to comment on its plans in the area.
There have also been several other rumors that other stores or restaurants are willing to take the Staples building.
The Home Depot is expected to build one of its super stores, a 140,000 foot facility.
There is a rumor the store may serve as an anchor outlet for the shopping center with another one or two small stores located next to Home Depot, but that rumor could not be confirmed.
Some local businesses like Karma and Arby's, have also relocated their stores from North Michigan to the shopping center in recent years.
A source that requested anonymity said the shopping center is to expand east of Staples and wind its way in the general direction of the Doorcraft plant. A new road connecting the stores with 7C Road is to be built. City water and sewer services are already in the area.
The source told the Pilot News work on the Home Depot could begin this summer. The store could be open in the spring of 2003. The store is expected to employ about 150 full and part time employees, which will be a boost to the local job market.
Plymouth is not the only community attracting new businesses. Sloanes, a small restaurant chain in cenral-northcentral Indiana, has opened a restaurant in Argos. For months there has also been additional talk of another fast food-gas station business along U.S. 31 near Argos.
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