Marion will soon get a Petsense store inside a section of the old Walmart building on U.S. 70 West and an Arby’s restaurant will be built on Sugar Inn Road near the current Walmart.
City Building Inspector Matthew Crawford said he’s received and approved plans for a Petsense store at the McDowell Square shopping center at 364 U.S. 70 West. It will be located inside a section of the old Walmart building next to Big Lots.
Petsense is a chain of retail stores in outlet malls and rural markets that specialize in pet supplies. It is similar to PetSmart and both chains were founded by Jim Dougherty. The first Petsense store opened in October 2005 in Castle Rock, Colo. and Petsense now operates more than 150 stores in 24 states across the United States. The chain is now owned by Tractor Supply, according to its web site.
“Our stores specialize in pet supplies and pet services, but does not sell dogs or cats,” reads the company’s web site. “Petsense does however, promote animal adoption through local city and/or county shelters & rescues. Petsense offers quality pet products at competitive prices, made possible by purchasing directly from our vendor partners.”
Crawford said the building plans call for a 5,500-square-foot with a grooming area for pets and lots of shelves. Petsense carries a wide range of food for cats and dogs along with collars, leashes, grooming supplies, cat litter, litter boxes, bowls and feeders and beds and mats.
Petsense has announced on Facebook April 21 as the grand opening date for the Marion store. The chain is seeking applicants for store manager through its web site.
“I think we are very close to beginning construction,” said Crawford, adding the permits have to be approved.
In addition, the city of Marion has received a site plan for an Arby’s on Sugar Hill Road. Crawford said he’s had conversations with the architect but has not received an actual building plan.
“It’s won’t be long until we get it,” he said.
The Arby’s restaurant will be located between the Bojangles’ and the Murphy Oil gas station near the Walmart Supercenter, according to Crawford.
The McDowell News attempted Thursday to contact representatives with both Petsense and Arby’s.
And work continues on the Holiday Inn Express planned for N.C. 226 South across from McDowell Technical Community College.
Crawford said he’s met with the architects for the new hotel and is expecting to get a set of architectural plans any day now.
Property owner Prakish Kadire of New Jersey has previously said to The McDowell News he has been granted a franchise to open a Holiday Inn Express at that site. He said previously the planned hotel will have 70 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. It is also expected to create 24 full-time jobs, according to Kadire and local officials.
Furthermore, Kadire said previously he has plans for other businesses at that site next to Exit 86. He said his tentative plans call for a full-sit down restaurant or a drive-through fast-food restaurant.
Crawford, who is also a county commissioner, said this could just be the beginning.
“There’s a lot more to come,” he said. “It’s going to be a busy year.”
