Coleman MarketPlace nears finish line

By Denice Thibodeau

Published: June 19, 2008

Most of the stores already signed on to occupy Coleman MarketPlace have “upfit” permits in hand to put finishing touches to the store interiors, and three stores have received their certificates of occupancy.

The upfit permits give the stores the go-ahead to get the interiors finished the way they want them, according to Kim Baldridge, permits clerk for Danville. All that’s left once that is done is a final inspection, getting a certificate of occupancy and bringing in merchandise before the doors open, she said.

Home Depot will be the first store in the shopping center to open. It received its certificate of occupancy on June 17 and the grand opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.

Target also received its certificate of occupancy on June 17 and the latest reports indicate its grand opening will be July 27.

Ross Dress for Less has had its certificate of occupancy since June 10, but has not yet scheduled an

opening day.

“We are targeting July,” company representative Steve Tuggle said Thursday.

Dick’s Sporting Goods and Petco have exterior signs in place and have their upfit permits, but have not yet announced their opening dates.

Old Navy has applied for its upfit permit, but company representatives have not yet picked it up, Baldridge said.

Marshalls is moving from its location at Riverside Centre to the new shopping center. Plans call for it to close its current location on Aug. 2 and open in its new Coleman MarketPlace location on Aug. 7, according to store coordinator Geneva Haverton.

LifeWay Christian Store is another new store that will be making its home at Coleman MarketPlace. There are about 150 stores nationwide, but until now the closest one has been in Lynchburg.

Don Murray, the chain’s growth region manager, said Thursday that the store is aiming to be open by the end of September or beginning of October, but said he couldn’t give an exact date yet.

“We’re looking forward to being there,” Murray said.

• Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.