MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Plans are moving forward on a $16 million dollar investment that could bring a much needed grocery store to Frayser.
Negotiations are underway for the Frayser Gateway project off North Hollywood. The revitalization could bring 136 jobs to that area.
Retail consultant Shawn Massey with The Shopping Center Group says the plans are in the preliminary stages. Right now, the property is blighted, and it’s filled with trash, tires, and mattresses.
“Anything that’s going to bring life to the community because there are a lot of things that are not around here so we need it,” said Tion Graham, owner of Headliners Barbershop.
Graham has been a business owner in Frayser since the early 2000s.
“By me being here for a while I done seen it, I done seen a lot of jobless people,” Graham said.
However, that could change as early as 2021. Thanks to a 15-year community pilot incentive from the Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis and Shelby County, a new grocery store and retail shopping center have been approved to help lead the redevelopment of this area. Renderings from property owner, G2 Venture Group, show the multi-phased development will include a full-service value grocer, a dollar store, general apparel store and three restaurants.
“Get this thing moving so that maybe by 2021, 2022 we can have it all fully laid out,” Easter-Thomas said.
The councilwoman representing District 7, the area where the new development will be in, says the need is there.
“People are waiting on this. I stay down the street in North Memphis. I grew up in Frayser as well, my mother is down the street,” Easter-Thomas said. “We need options for groceries, and a lot of those areas are food desserts.”
Massey says his team has started negotiations with a grocer, but wouldn’t specify who.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to welcome whoever it is,” Graham said.
Massey says retaining a grocery store is key to the project. If everything goes as planned, this shopping center could be open as early as 2021.