Opposition to Cloverdale Road Publix

 

Would many Florence residents love to have a Publix in northern Florence? Absolutely! Should it be backed up to the edge of Sherwood Forest? Probably not.

It seems a great deal of money has already gone into this project before zoning has been approved. If you're opposed, the zoning hearing will be Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. in the city auditorium.

Note: This will also affect Alexander Heights and the Chisholm Road area. Progress isn't always worth it.

D.K. Is Happy Tonight!

Our fellow blog member D.K. is extremely happy tonight after Bama's super win over Notre Dame. Our facetious comment of yesterday was taken the wrong way by some--No, none of us here was rooting for the Irish.

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Is Goody's coming to the Sav-A-Lot Shopping Center in Muscle Shoals? If Pounders Realty has its way, the middle-of-the-road department store will be joining its sister store in the town's core shopping area.

Besides Burke's Discount, the company owns Beall's and Peeble's Department Stores. There's currently one Goody's in Russellville, and three Burke's in the area. Their gift cards are welcome at any of their stores, making for a great retail experience. Here's hoping Muscle Shoals gets this plum.

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Speaking of retail, how's Publix doing? We hear their main draw is the weekly buy-one-get-one-free offers. When making your shopping list, don't forget Belle Foods; the Alabama owned chain seems to get better each week.

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Know what this is?

According to this eBay listing, it's an illegal gambling chip from an establishment run by Pride and Dewitt Dawson. If you find it interesting, it can be yours for only 9.95.



Shoalanda

Military Contract for Navistar Barton?/Publix & Propinquity

Navistar's Military Vehicle MaxxPro

It now seems those pre-Christmas layoffs at the RSA/Navistar plant in Barton weren't just the work of a Grinch. Sources close to the former National Alabama plant say the untimely terminations were the result of new, more stringent background checks.

Why were such background checks necessary? It seems the American Motors HHMVWs, or Humvees, lost favor with the military some time ago. The preferred vehicle for desert combat is the mine-resistant MaxxPro, a Navistar product.

Does this definitely mean the new Navistar facility will be producing components for the MaxxPro or a similar vehicle? We should find out next week...

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What do Wal-Mart, Publix, and propinquity have in common? They're all elements in the local battle for your buck. Many thought it odd that Publix would have located so close to Florence's existing Wal-Mart, yet Publix probably thought it an ideal location. Routine Wally World shoppers can easily drive to the new Publix to finish off their weekly shopping. It's why you often see restaurants and hotels clustered together; if one doesn't provide what the customer wants, he has to only drive or walk next door.

Now Wal-Mart is planning a second super center...one not remotely close to any major shopping area. (Sorry, Big Star and CVS--you're just not a destination unto yourself.) Those cash spending customers from the western end of the county or southern Tennessee will now be isolated from the new Publix, Target, Regency Square Mall, and K-Mart, assuming the latter stays in this area. You can't say the Wally World honchos don't know their marketing.



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

World Class Pharmaceutical Center?/Publix a No Show?

Florence City Councilman Barry Morris has called a Chinese drug manufacturer's once proposed plans for the former Florence Golf and Country Club a "world class pharmaceutical center." Dr. Morris, since when does alternative medicine come under the definition of "world class pharmaceuticals?"

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Grocery Store Wars: Wish we still had a Winn-Dixie in the Shoals? Apparently the Birmingham area is the closest you'll find one. Now the chain has been purchased by Bi-Lo, a popular chain with several stores just across the state line in Tennessee. Will they open one here?

We won't hold our breath, but if you're hoping for that promised Publix, local gossip has it that it won't be coming either. Construction has been halted on the Cox Creek Pky location, and city officials aren't forthcoming with any answers. Perhaps that would make another great place for a world class pharmaceutical center, huh, Dr. Morris?

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Rare Sweetwater Creek postcard: Link



Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Ron Sparks Gets a Raise

As Agriculture Commissioner, Ron Sparks made $79,026.00 annually. Now as Gov. Bentley's pick to direct the newly minted Rural Development Office, he'll be making 80K a year. Where else but in Alabama politics? Several pundits have already commented on Bentley's lack of organization...and from our point of view, they were being overly kind. Of course, Sparks is nothing if not rural and he's done quite a bit of developing of his own finances...

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Two local items were on the January 2011 Certificate of Need meeting canceled by Gov. Bentley. You may see the entire agenda here: Link

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Want to hear more from Mo Brooks? Or would that be less? It seems Mo is now on Twitter. Shades of TK the AG, you can find him at MoInTheHouse.

Okay, we have to say it, please tell us it doesn't include audio clips of Rep. Brooks rapping...

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Will it be a Publix? Or a Whole Foods? With our luck, it'll be a new Pete's Meats...



Shoalanda