Ask Royale: Greenville is adding new apartments, residents. Why not more grocery stores?
Question: With all the new apartment buildings springing up along Academy, the western area of Greenville and areas surrounding Unity Park, why are there no grocery stores also being built to serve the additional residents who will be living in the area? Is there not some kind of requirement or code in place that requires developers to facilitate this?
I see vacant buildings and lots that could easily accommodate a sorely needed grocery store in our area. For example, there is an empty shopping center on Pendleton across from Pendleton Place.
Answer: City officials agree there should be additional grocery stores in downtown Greenville and the surrounding area, but said it takes time.
"Grocery stores have very specific site selection criteria they use, such as demographic and density data, locations at corner parcels or at intersections with traffic lights, etc. Retail uses definitely 'follow rooftops'as it is said, so all of these additional residential units certainly help," City of Greenville Communications and Engagement representative, Loren Thomas, said.
The city has participated in public-private partnerships to land new grocery stores for the community, Thomas said.
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These include the Publix at McBee Station where the city made a large investment in stormwater improvements, a Harris Teeter on Augusta where the city invested in sidewalks, lighting, etc., and the Harris Teeter at NorthPointe at Wade Hampton/Stone where officials invested in road work and other public improvements.
Thomas said the city continues to stay in touch with grocery chains and promotes available sites.
"We remain open and committed to public-private partnerships and will continue working to attract viable tenants for our community," she added.
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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ask Royale: With more Greenville apartments, why not grocery stores?
