This is the site of the old Speedway gasoline station on the southwest corner of Nichol and Raible avenues. Residents say the property negatively impacts the area and hinders any future development until the property is cleaned of all contaminaation from a fuel leak in 1989. Staff file photo by John P. Cleary
ANDERSON – A study of potential retail outlets that may be interested in locating in the Anderson area includes a grocery store chain, sit-down restaurant and six quick-service eateries.
The Anderson Redevelopment Commission received an update Tuesday from the Buxton Co., which was hired by the city of Anderson to help attract retail stores to the area.
Antoine Long of Buxton said there are 103,560 people living within 20 miles of the targeted area and sales eclipsed $1.9 billion.
“There is a lot of spending power,” he said. “We obtain information from credit card spending.”
Long said annual grocery sales in the Anderson area exceed $121.9 million.
The primary focus areas are at the intersection of Nichol and Raible avenues, Scatterfield Road and the downtown area, Long said.
“There is a high interest in Anderson,” he said. “A grocery store chain is considering long-term plans in Anderson for 2019 and another grocer is interested in the Edgewood Plaza area.
“This puts Anderson on their radar,” Long continued. “A grocery store will be key to the Edgewood Plaza development.”
Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said the city is looking for a grocery store as an anchor for the Edgewood Plaza area.
“Next year we’re working on additional retailers that may be interested in Anderson,” he said. “We want to expand the focus area to include north Anderson.”
Long said the 20-mile radius includes Alexandria, Daleville, Noblesville and Markleville.
“This is data driven,” he said. “We work with 3,500 clients on site selection. Retail is very selective and they look at up to 20 sites before opening one location.”
Long said the Buxton study includes a consumer profile, drive time, market conditions and then target retailers.
“Each community has a unique DNA,” he said. “We then try to find the right retailer to fit into Anderson.”
Long said attracting retailers doesn’t take place overnight.
“It takes time,” he said. “It may take 12 to 24 months to make a decision.”
Anderson was represented at the Commercial Retail Conference in Las Vegas in May to schedule meetings, where city officials met with company representatives about locating in the city.
Last year the Anderson Board of Public Works approved a contract with Buxton Co. for $50,000 annually for the next three years.
Buxton was hired to focus efforts on the Edgewood Plaza area first and then north Anderson and the downtown.
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