Big-box retailers boost Greeley's retail scene

  Print   E-Mail   Comment

By Molly Armbrister November 18, 2011

Greeley's interested in attracting more local retailers to its downtown but it can thank national big-box operators on the west side of the city for helping lowering its vacancy rates.

Year-over-year, vacancy rates in the retail sector citywide have decreased from 15.02 percent in second-quarter 2009 to 14.7 percent in 2010 to 10.2 percent in 2011, according to statistics from Realtec Commercial Real Estates Services' Greeley office.

Realtec attributes the improvement in figures to a recent boom in shopping centers in west Greeley, most notably the CenterPlace shopping center, located near the intersection of 47th Avenue and Highway 34.

CenterPlace encompasses more than 392,000 square feet and is home to mostly big-box chains and franchises, including Kohl's, Target, and Famous Footwear. The first anchor stores at the center opened their doors in 2003, and the area hasn't stopped attracting business.

CenterPlace's newest tenant, TJ Maxx, will open a 25,000-square-foot, $2.6 million store east of Sports Authority in the complex. Officials at TJ Maxx could not be reached for comment, and the opening date of the store is not yet known. CenterPlace is owned by Regency Centers of Jacksonville, Fla.

Another national chain