After years of being deemed the community's biggest eyesore, the old Walmart building on Sackville Drive is coming back to life.
Even after the new location was built in Bedford, Walmart held the lease in Sackville and the space that housed it remained empty.
That lease was up in January 2012 and finally new businesses are able to set up shop.
Fresh on the heals of the new Goodlife Fitness club which opened up on Sept. 6, discount retailer Giant Tiger is moving in next door with a grand opening planned for Nov. 3.
Goodlife has taken up 31,000 square feet of the building located at Downsview Mall, while Giant Tiger will eat up 23,000.
Giant Tiger is a family discount store that provides family fashions and groceries.
As the executive director of the Sackville Business Association, Michelle Champniss is thrilled with the news.
"We're pleased to welcome Giant Tiger to Sackville," she said. "The fact that national retailers such as Giant Tiger, Lawtons and Goodlife Fitness are choosing to invest in Sackville reaffirms what we already knew - it's a great place to do business."
Plaza neighbours like First Choice Haircutters are also very happy.
"I think it's great and will bring more business to the area," she said.
According to a survey conducted by Bristol Group in 2008, results showed that local residents wanted to see more stores selling personal products like clothes, shoes and accessories, and specialty items for their home. It also showed that residents would prefer to spend their money in Sackville.
Looks like at least some of their wishes are coming true.
June Scarff lives in Bedford. She said when the store opens she will be making Sackville a destination location for buying.
"I love the store," she said. "And it's much closer than the Dartmouth or Halifax location. I will be coming here for sure."
Her 16-year-old daughter Amanda agrees.
"I like their clothes and their food ... they have great pretzels," she said.
Scarff added that her parents, who live in Sackville, are also very excited.
"They are in their 70s," she said. "They want to shop and they can't wait to have a place close by where they can."
blhall@eastlink.ca
