Six years ago, two major parcels along Highway 45 South in Columbus, the city’s major retail corridor, were becoming ghost towns.
The largest, most identifiable of the two – Leigh Mall – was down to a handful of tenants and its overall condition in a state of serious disrepair, hanging on but far from the glittering showcase it once was.
A bit farther north, K-Mart, the major retailer in the other parcel had just shut down, leaving only a smattering of stores, Bargain Hunt and Malco Theater.
A visitor at the time would have taken one look at these two large sites and would have had a hard time finding much to be optimistic about. So when it was announced that a Georgia-based Hull Co. had purchased the Leigh Mall property in 2019, there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Although progress in attracting tenants to what is now called Columbus Place has been slow, the improvements made to the property are encouraging.
Meanwhile, a flicker or resurgence at the north end of the K- Mart shopping center emerged in 2022 with the opening of Kidz-N-Play, Two Maids cleaning service and Outlaw Sporting Goods. The renovation of that portion of the shopping center is thanks to former MSU and Seattle Seahawks player Gabe Jackson and his wife Eryn Jackson, who have opened several businesses in Starkville and Columbus.
On Tuesday, Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Higgins met in executive session with the Columbus City Council to solicit city support for the former K-mart building, an incentive deal that would bring a major retailer into the 110,000 square foot facility, which has been empty for six years. The incentives are structured similar to the Columbus Place deal and are based on investments made by the new owner into the property. The incentive package passed with everyone except Ward 2 councilman Joseph Mickens voting in favor.
Although the details of the new owner and its products will not be revealed until Oct. 1, there is much to be encouraged about.
The most obvious benefit is removing the ghost-town appearance of the property. Like Columbus Place, those aesthetics are important in what it says about the health of the city’s retail strength.
Perhaps the best part of this deal is that it will be owner/operated. Unlike Columbus Place, it will not require recruiting tenants, who may take some time to recruit. When opened, the new owners will be producing revenue for the city and jobs for its residents immediately.
Higgins said the company has an established reputation with sales expected to be $20 million annually.
When we see what is happening at Columbus Place and what is on the horizon at the K-Mart property, we cannot help but be encouraged to know that outside companies see potential in our city.
Six years ago, that’s something we weren’t at all sure about.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
