By JOHN DEMPSEY
Tribune business writer
February 03, 2008 12:32 am
—
Sorry to disappoint the T.G.I. Friday’s lovers in Kokomo, but it appears that once more the rumors of the restaurant opening in Kokomo appear to be just that — a rumor.
That’s according to Erik Fjeseth, property manager for Simon Property Group.
Construction at the former theater location has set rumors flying with names like Friday’s and MC Sports the hottest.
“The old theater will become MC Sports,” he said. “They’re in same category of retail as Dick’s Sporting Goods. They carry sporting equipment and clothing.”
As for the possibility of a Friday’s announcement?
“None that I’m aware of. We’ve talked to different retailers, clothing stores and restaurants, but I think that’s just a rumor,” Fjeseth said.
And a very persistent one, he added.
“I got to the point where I contacted some of my people to check on it,” he said, “and as far as I’m concerned it’s just a rumor.”
Since 1997, the rumor of the restaurant coming to Kokomo has come up a number of times, only to disappear for another year or two. Among them have been near the Best Western Inn (formerly Signature Inn), the area of Southway Boulevard and U.S. 31 and at a Kokomo Mall site.
A few years ago, the company even published an ad in the Kokomo Tribune seeking applicants for its “Kokomo store.” But, nothing ever came of that and the ad only ran a few days.
As for the former Block/Lazarus/Macy anchor site in the midst of the shopping mall, there’s nothing new to report.
“We’ve talked to a lot of different retailers. It is in our best interest to go and get it leased, but at this time, there is nothing to confirm for you,” he said.
And, he admitted, “it takes quite a bit of our time.”
“We’re continually pursuing tenants. I think here in the next few months, we’ll be making more announcements but nothing has been confirmed.”
MC Sports began in 1946 as Michigan Clothiers in Grand Rapids, Mich., as a men’s clothing store with military surplus and recreational items. During the early 1960s, it shifted its focus to sporting goods.
It has moved into major markets such as Chicago, Cleveland and Kansas City and now has 65 stores in six states.
• O’Reilly Auto Parts will go up at 3201 S. Lafountain on the southwest corner of its intersection with Rainbow Drive (the former Colorado Steakhouse and American Tool Time Rental).
O’Reilly executives aren’t sure when development will begin as the project works its way through the planning and permit process.
“The plans are complete and ready to roll, but there is no start date,” O’Reilly’s David Turney said. “Once we get going, it usually takes two to three months to get it done.”
O’Reilly began in Missouri and reaches into the Southeast as well as the Midwest.
Turney said the auto part retailer’s expansion in Indiana is due to a distribution center it built in Indianapolis in 2005.
“That’s driving growth in your area. When we build a distribution center, we then build up around it,” he explained. “At least 250 stores come off of a distribution center. Then, we’ll jump a couple hundred miles and build another distribution center.”
Once the Indianapolis area is finished, he said the next area for an O’Reilly’s next distribution center will be in Lubbock, Texas.
• With one restaurant already on U.S. 31 and another on the westside of Kokomo, Rally’s Hamburgers plans to reward its loyal customers here with a third restaurant.
The new Rally’s will be built at 401 Kentucky Drive, next to Courtyard by Marriott.
“We have a strong guest following in Kokomo,” said Elizabeth Sheridan, communications manager for Checkers/Rally’s. “That’s why we’re opening a third corporate location. The two already in Kokomo post very strong sales.”
Although she doesn’t have an exact date, the groundbreaking is set for early spring with a summer opening. Rally’s stores are modular buildings.
“Once we get the building on the lot, it takes six to eight weeks to get it prepared and open,” Sheridan said.
• A new Speedway will be coming to the intersection of Markland Avenue and Goyer Road. According to Robert Calmus, a government relations official for Marathon Oil — the parent company of gas/convenience store — Speedway has purchased four lots east of the current location to expand its operation.
Speedway has already gone through the rezoning process and will likely ask that the land be annexed by the city of Kokomo.
“We’re hoping — if we can get everything passed — for a July or August start date,” Calmus said. “We’ll build a state-of-the-art store from the ground up. It will actually have more parking and better access to Markland Avenue.”
John Dempsey may be contacted
at (765) 854-6739 or by e-mail at john.dempsey@kokomotribune.com
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John Dempsey
Tribune business writer