FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 7/9/09) Big box blight is all over the city, but new construction could be a sign the local economy is on an upswing.
National mega-retailer hhgregg plans to move into Memphis in a big way. It plans 22 new stores across the country -- with several in the Memphis area. The retailer says it's growing in this sluggish economy and is replacing the old storefronts Circuit City vacated.
Raven Peoples shops in the area and says, "I was wondering what would anyone do with it and it's just sad to see so many empty stores sitting around the city."
Just a few months after the Circuit City closed its doors near Wolfchase, there are signs of life. Contractors are gutting the failed electronics store, making way for mega-store hhregg.
hhgregg sells appliances and electronics, and considers itself "one of the largest and most successful independent retailers in the country". h-h gregg plans to open 22 new stores in the next year.. several in memphis.
"It's a wonderful thing that they're actually going to take a chance in Memphis and it's going to create jobs which will give us a boost to our economy," says Peoples.
For the local economy, it means hundreds of jobs and tax revenues. On top of that, it fills an empty building and fights big box blight.
"When you see a vacant building that means somebody failed," says Dexter Muller with the Greater Memphis Chamber. "The design of them means you either use them for a big box or you tear it down."
For contractors, the new work is money in their pocket. Shoppers, like Odell Owens, just hope a new retailer means a better bargain. "It's going to have to be a place that's super cheap because otherwise they'll have to go out of business also."
Contractors say they're gutting at least two of the old Circuit City stores to make way for hhgregg. The company has not said exactly how many stores will come into the area.
- National retailer hhgregg to open multiple stores in Memphis area
- Stores will open in vacated Circuit City stores
- Expected to bring hundreds of jobs to local economy
(Memphis 7/9/09) Big box blight is all over the city, but new construction could be a sign the local economy is on an upswing.
National mega-retailer hhgregg plans to move into Memphis in a big way. It plans 22 new stores across the country -- with several in the Memphis area. The retailer says it's growing in this sluggish economy and is replacing the old storefronts Circuit City vacated.
Raven Peoples shops in the area and says, "I was wondering what would anyone do with it and it's just sad to see so many empty stores sitting around the city."
Just a few months after the Circuit City closed its doors near Wolfchase, there are signs of life. Contractors are gutting the failed electronics store, making way for mega-store hhregg.
hhgregg sells appliances and electronics, and considers itself "one of the largest and most successful independent retailers in the country". h-h gregg plans to open 22 new stores in the next year.. several in memphis.
"It's a wonderful thing that they're actually going to take a chance in Memphis and it's going to create jobs which will give us a boost to our economy," says Peoples.
For the local economy, it means hundreds of jobs and tax revenues. On top of that, it fills an empty building and fights big box blight.
"When you see a vacant building that means somebody failed," says Dexter Muller with the Greater Memphis Chamber. "The design of them means you either use them for a big box or you tear it down."
For contractors, the new work is money in their pocket. Shoppers, like Odell Owens, just hope a new retailer means a better bargain. "It's going to have to be a place that's super cheap because otherwise they'll have to go out of business also."
Contractors say they're gutting at least two of the old Circuit City stores to make way for hhgregg. The company has not said exactly how many stores will come into the area.
