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TEN REASONS RETAILERS ARE EXPANDING TO LAKELAND

BY AMY HOWELL

If you’ve been paying attention, you have noticed quite a few retailers opening in Lakeland, TN. Conveniently located off I-40 in Northeastern Shelby County, Lakeland is poised for growth–especially as corporate projects such as Ford’s “Blue Oval City” eyeball the region for expansions. Additionally, the Lakeland Schools are award-winning, top rated in the state and Lakeland has enjoyed a healthy influx of new residents seeking a quality education for their families.

It’s only natural for retailers and business owners to look to Lakeland’s thriving demographics for future and additional expansions. A few of note recently have been the tenants at The Lake District like Frost Bake Shop, Gloss Nail Bar, Starbucks, Chosen Lines, Lake District Wine and Liquors, and the list is growing as we publish. The Town Square, also underway, has retailers opening currently to serve the growing residential population in Lakeland. We talked with some of the new-to-Lakeland retailers about the reasons they chose Lakeland.

Here is a summary.

1. Lakeland is underserved and does not have enough retail to meet the demand of the high-growth residential market.

2. Lakeland’s Cracker Barrel is consistently the highest performing store in the chain, which demonstrates the area’s excellent demographics for retailers. 3. Lakeland is attracting the right types of development; its city leaders are being strategic about their comprehensive economic development plan. Codes and adherence to city guidelines ensure that growth will be deliberate and strategic. For example, many communities think “big box” retail is strategic, but Lakeland has a different vision and seeks quality, locally owned small businesses vs. national retailers.

4. Lakeland residents’ lifestyle is attractive to the boutique retailers. The parks, recreation and quality of outdoor entertainment options are attracting health and fitness retail and others that support them. Retail examples include health and wellness, fitness and more.

“We looked at all parts of Memphis and the surrounding areas, and we chose Lakeland because it was so inviting and friendly. Lakeland is a developed location in a lot of ways, but it also has a very fresh feel that is continually growing, but growing in the right ways. We definitely wanted to be part of this great community!” —Jason McAlister, Cycle Bar and Stretch Lab

5.Many don’t know that the median household income of Lakeland rivals that of Germantown and Collierville, making Lakeland an ideal location for attracting discretionary income spending. 6. Lakeland taxes are attractive to families moving there. The evidence is in the growing number of new homes in the community.

7. Its location is easily accessible from everywhere in Shelby County. Lakeland is conveniently located off I-40 (Canada Road) as well as Hwy. 70 (Summer Avenue) and is accessible in 20 minutes or less from almost every part of Shelby County.

8. Lakeland draws visitors from locations east of Shelby County including Dancyville, Brownsville, Jackson, TN and beyond.

9. The people of Lakeland support shopping locally. We heard this echoed many times while researching this article.

10. Lakeland has preserved its rural beauty and natural landscapes, making it a desirable place to live, work and play. Some communities grow by cutting down trees and altering landscapes. Lakeland’s leaders have been determined to maintain its natural beauty and resources–a quality many residents seek.

Lakeland is welcoming business owners who want to be involved and prosper in a growing community. Residents would like to see more restaurants, more entertainment, more sports bars, more things for kids to do, more wellness (spas, pharmacies, etc). We have a feeling it is going to be a very exciting place to be over the next few years and beyond.