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 Construction Manager Mark Eckhoff of Septagon and his crew began work at Marshall Plaza, Monday, Aug. 4, renovating the west end of the building in preparation for the relocation of Aldi's later this year. (Kathy Fairchild/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Work started Monday, Aug. 4, on a project to renovate the west end of Marshall Plaza for the relocation of Aldi's grocery store on West College Avenue.
Construction Manager Mark Eckhoff of Septagon said Aldi expects to open the new store in the latter part of the year, and hopes to be in the building by mid-November.
Aldi Vice President Mark Bersted said the move is being made to accommodate the need for expansion of the existing store, which is "doing very well" in Marshall. Aldi is headquartered in Olathe, Kan.
Bersted said he wasn't concerned about being in the same building as Patricia's.
"We've been across the street from them as long as they've been in Marshall. It doesn't really change anything except our location," he said.
Aldi Foods owns the building in which they're currently housed. What appears to be one building in that location is actually two; Midwest Storage Solutions owns the other building, formerly a Wal-Mart store.
Aldi's new landlord at Marshall Plaza is a New York City holding company associated with New York Life Insurance Company and Continental Windgate of Needham, Mass.
In the meantime, Patricia's Foods is moving ahead with plans to relocate their store to South Odell Avenue, a move that's been in the works for more than two years.
Nancy Eckhoff, with the corporate office in Concordia, said the company plans to begin remodeling the former IGA on Odell in a few months, and expects to move in "about a year."
Eckhoff said plans to move the business were set aside when the Concordia store burned, destroying all the food stocks and computer equipment.
"We're still going to move," Eckhoff said, putting to rest recent rumors the move had been called off.
Contact Kathy Fairchild at
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SpeedwaySue, the New York holding company has been in a catch 22 as far as the Plaza goes. The owner died several years ago at 90 something and left the Plaza property to a group of Rabbi's in New York. The problem was that there was still a mortgage on the Plaza for over 1.6 million. It took several court cases before the property was transfered back to the remaining heirs of the estate and then they had to hire lawyers to fight to keep the property. When they succeeded in that legal mess they then had to come up with the money to pay off the mortgage. The holding company that was held at bay by the courts for years were in the process of foreclosing on the property.
I don't see how anyone can afford not to shop at Aldi's-- I am glad to see they are expanding-- I don't know what I would do without them.
While I was on the School Board, we met with the owners of the Marshall Plaza to discuss the possibility of the School District purchasing the property. My recollection is that they wanted between 4 and 5 million dollars for the property and said the price was non-negotiable. Needless to say, that was the end of the discussion. The size of the property was not an issue.
Good point SpeedwaySue. Can't the city of Marshall insist that something be done. I have heard that some of those buildings are a hazard.
Sapphireslipper, i have also always thought that parking lot would be the perfect place. I don't see how it is not large enough. Do we need a new high school building also?
I love Aldi's!!! One of the best customer service stores in town and that is where they are suppose to be lacking to keep our prices down, but it is always service with a smile. Patricia's is great too.
It's a shame that the NY holding company chooses not to maintain their properties any better than they do. There might be even more growth if they did.
Sapphireslipper it is my understanding that the school district is NOT interested in the Marshall Plaza area as it would simply not be large enough to accomodate their needs. They would be right back where they started.
Way to go Aldi's! This is sure a step in the right direction for that area.
Here you go- maybe this will solve the confusion on EC Dev.
Economic development is the development of economic wealth of countries or regions for the well-being of their inhabitants. From a policy perspective, economic development can be defined as efforts that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and/or retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base.
p.s. forgot !!!! my idea of economic development, and i think most would agree is new business's coming to town, not exsisting one's moving, don't ya think, good luck aldi's
i have to agree with outsider [ not exactly a big step in enonomic growth of marshall ] that's a good one full speed well that is about as fast as marshall is moving, i think we just got passed by a lawn mower, heheheheh !!!!!
Maybe it's a stretch, outsider, but it's only a little strech. The reason they're moving is because their current location has become too small to accommodate an increasing number of customers - and that IS economic development. I completely agree with you on the condition of the plaza, though. It's the first thing people see as they come into town from the south and its condition doesn't speak well for the city. Maybe this latest move is a step in improving the plaza overall, too. We can hope so, anyway.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not to move over there. I'm glad Aldi is expanding because I love to shop there, but I just think it makes more sense to empty out the Plaza area so the voters can finally have a place centrally located in town to put the new schools(if it could ever get passed). Close to the high school, everything together. Just my humble opinion.
When a business is enlarging their square footage and anticipating new business (of which they will get more of mine) and improving an unproductive
area,, that's economic development if I've ever seen it. Go Aldi's! Now Marshall shoppers get behind this brave move and support this business.
Good for them. That dilapidated "plaza" is an eyesore as it now sits. Kinda bad that it's right there in plain view from the bypass.
But it seems to be somewhat of a stretch to call an established business moving from one side of the street to the other "economic development".