Hobby Lobby and Dick's to Headline New Retail Project in Tucker

Northlake to get new retail center

Ben F. Kushner Co. plans to begin demolition in the coming weeks of an office park in Tucker that will be replaced by a new retail center.  "The Meridian at Tucker" will be 200,000 square feet, replacing the 285,000 square foot La Vista Office Park, a one and two-story office park built in 1973.  The 25 acre parcel sits at the corner of Northlake Parkway and LaVista Road, just off I-285.  As it stands now, the parcel, 2175 Northlake Parkway, has access to both Northlake Parkway and LaVista Road.  

I've followed this project for nearly a year during which at least one lawsuit was brought by neighbors fearing an increase in traffic and decrease in home values.  

Thus far, Dick's Sporting Goods, DSW, ROSS Dress For Less and Hobby Lobby have been confirmed as anchor tenants at the new center.  A source indicates that an all important Mattress Firm has also recently committed to the center.  

Hobby Lobby will be the largest tenant at 50,000 square feet followed by Dick's Sporting Goods at 45,000 square feet. ROSS Dress For Less will be 25,000 square feet with DSW slated to be 16,000 square feet.  

The new ROSS Dress For Less marks the chain's return to the Northlake area having previously operated at nearby Northlake Festival over twenty years ago.

The new Dick's could spell trouble for Sports Authority who operates an existing, but dated, store on Northlake Parkway, behind Northlake Mall.  

The project is located in what would become the new City of Tucker.  The parcel sits across the street from The Old Hickory House and is currently home to one and two story offices. 

Many in the neighborhood are hopeful that the new center will spur interest in existing, but underperforming, retail centers in the area.  Northlake Festival and Northlake Mall, both former regional hubs, have both fallen on hard times as anchors have closed, and shoppers have departed for other malls and centers.  

Northlake Festival, built in 1984, is probably in worse shape than the mall, as it has lost virtually all of its anchor tenants. Most recently, Toys R Us, a landmark in the mall for two decades, closed its store at Northlake Festival this past January.  

A local source with knowledge of "The Meridian" indicated that the plan is to "deliver" the spaces to tenants next summer, with openings planned in advance of the year's holiday shopping season.

What shops or restaurants would you like to see added to the roster at The Meridian at Tucker?  What would you like to see happen to Northlake Festival and Northlake Mall?  What is your stance on the proposed cities of Tucker and LaVista Hills? 

Please share your thoughts below.