Biz Buzz

Ross, the nation’s second-largest “off-price” retailer (TJ Maxx has the top title), has opened its store at the King’s Crossing retail center in Tupelo. It’s next to Kohl’s

The store had a ’soft opening’ earlier this week, and its grand opening is planned for Saturday.

The Tupelo store is about 25,000 square feet and employs around 40 part-time and full-time employees.

Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more info, call the store at 841-2408.

Half of the bizbuzz team (that would be Carlie) has shopped at a Ross and said it’s a nicer version of TJ Maxx. The other half wouldn’t know, but will likely check it out.

Let us know what YOU think of the store.

Rack Room Shoes said today it expects to finish construction on its store at the King’s Crossing retail center by March 13.

Rack Room previously was located in Barnes Crossing Plaza, which includes Toys R Us and Books-A-Million. Rack Room closed its location there last year.

King’s Crossing is located off North Gloster and is anchored by Kohl’s. Other stores include Dress Barn, Maurices, Ross and Catherines.

The 6,000-square-foot store will sell name brand and private-label shoes for women, men and children.

Before I moved to Tupelo, my mom insisted I do all my shopping in Gulfport because she didn’t believe that Northeast Mississippi does indeed have a flourishing retail scene.

Over the past few months, she’s been getting used to hearing me talk about shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Kroger. She even refers to Tony’s Market as “that fancy deli” after hearing about the specialty meats and cheeses. Read what really made her sing a different tune.

Fairpark Grill is now open. Read more about it in today’s paper. I had a sneak peak of the restaurant Tuesday and liked what I saw. My only problem is deciding what to eat first. Half of the menu is brand spanking new and it all looks fabulous. Any suggestions?

And, Kohl’s is officially open. At 7:30 a.m., there was already a group of people waiting to get in. One lady even took the day off from work to go shopping. Read more in tomorrow’s paper.

And, we’ve been busy covering Toyota events and more grand openings this week. Read the past coverage on djournal.com’s business section.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Kohl’s is open. The store has a big sign hanging out front that says so. And judging by the parking lot around noon on Sunday, plenty of people are getting a look at the store during its “soft opening.”

A soft opening, for those unfamiliar with the term, is when stores open for business, but don’t make too big a deal about it. They usually open a few days in advance of a “grand opening,” which in Kohl’s case, is Wednesday. The hope is to get some training in for employees with just a few shoppers, and to work out any kinks in the system. There are always a few last details to work out, too. For example, when I dropped in around 9 a.m. on Sunday, employees were still getting prices on some items.

I think Kohl’s is in for some pretty heavy traffic the next few days. And they may have to call the distribution center to replenish the racks and shelves a little faster than anticipated.

It’s a good-looking store, by the way.

And maybe you were one of the people who got a $10 gift card in the mail. Now THAT’s the way to reel them in…

The BizBuzz would like to welcome a few new retail and restaurant neighbors to Tupelo! Let us know if we missed anyone.

• Guthrie’s is now open and serving “golden fried chicken fingers” on South Gloster. The restaurant is in the old Dawg House/Krystal location by Back Yard Burger.

• P.B. Loco celebrates its grand opening as Joe Joe’s Espresso on Friday and Saturday. The cafe is located inside the Renasant Center for IDEAs in Fairpark.

• City Thrift opens Monday in the old Hancock Fabrics location on West Main. It’s going to be a large thrift store affiliated with the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

• Kohl’s will grand open Wednesday. However, since we’re all friends here on Biz Buzz, we feel inclined to tell you that the retailer will soft open (soft open is retail-speak for opening to the public before the grand opening in order to work out the kinks) on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Look out for Sunday’s Business & Money where we’ll introduce you to the retailer from Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Nineteen days until we can “expect great things” from Kohl’s.

The flashing yellows have been turned on at the new intersection in front of King’s Crossing on North Gloster. Checking with DJ’s resident traffic light expert Emily Le Coz about when they will become fully operational.

Kohl’s has sent out mailers to people in the region advising them of a job fair that runs Saturday through Wednesday at the Hilton Garden Inn. Their Tupelo store is expected to open in October.

The dates and times:

• Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The company asks that applicants schedule an interview via its Web site at www.kohlscareers.com or by calling 1-877-639-5645.

More details in tomorrow’s Daily Journal.

A visit to the planning department showed plans for two retailers to move to King’s Crossing …

Catherine’s and Dress Barn both have submitted blueprints for their new stores at the new retail center where Kohl’s and Ross anchor the development.

Catherine’s is currently in the shopping plaza behind Chic-Fil-A on Barnes Crossing Road. The plaza is now home to Kroger, Gilpin Dry Cleaners, American General, Wells Fargo Finance, Wines Etc., Metro Ford and others. Catherines is looking at about a 4,000-square-foot space at King’s Crossing, inside that long set of spaces on the south side of the property (on the right when you’re looking at the front of Kohl’s and Ross).

Dress Barn, located in the shopping center where OfficeMax, Toys R Us, Books-A-Million, Oreck Vacuum, Hobby Lobby and others are, is looking at the space next to Ross. It’s a 7,500-square-foot space.

Look for other retailers to migrate to King’s Crossing. It’ll be the newest place in town and a hot spot to be … that is, until Target eventually builds and starts attracting stores.

Read previous entry about this topic.

Made a trip down to Jackson this weekend and noticed a sign on Hwy 45 in West Point announcing a CVS/pharmacy is coming soon. The store would be the closest CVS to Tupelo. No word yet on how the drug retailer is regrouping after losing its battle to build at Crosstown.

Also noticed that Kohl’s has put the signage on the front of the building in King’s Crossing. The lights are up inside the store also. No word yet on who will be filling the other buildings in the development besides Ross. Read past coverage.