Bed Bath & Beyond, JoAnn Fabrics to Open in June
Developers are telling the township to expect a June opening, not an early spring opening as initially planned.
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Progress is being made at the former Farmer Jack site off M-59 near Fisk Road. Construction began last month, to transform the space into two new retailers for White Lake - a Bed Bath & Beyond, and a JoAnn Fabrics.
Initially, when the news was announced in July 2011, the stores officials were hoping for an early spring opening for this year. That has since changed and Township Planning Director Sean O'Neil said the developers are now eyeing an early June opening, "Both stores are working within the same time frame for construction right now, but it's unclear if they will open on the same day," he said.
"We are incredibly excited to have that vacant building filled with two well-known and popular businesses," O'Neil told White Lake Patch when the news broke last year.
The property has been vacant for more than five years, after the Farmer Jack chain was shut down. Since that time, the rumor mill has steadily churned out whispers of stores that might fill the space.
"We couldn't be happier to have these two businesses coming into the township," Supervisor Greg Baroni said. "You normally have to drive out to Novi or Auburn Hills to go to either of these stores. Having them located in White Lake will be a great convenience for our residents."
patricia c. carter
10:22 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I am really looking forward to these stores coming to our area.
Rhonda Gelstein
12:34 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
While talking to a JoAnn Fabric employee I was told that all the employees at the Pontiac store have to re-apply to work at the White Lake store, even though their store is closing down. So, several of them are worried that they won't be rehired since they've worked there a long time. That's just sad. I am thrilled though to get a store so close by.
Ryan Webb
1:51 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
While new store openings are always welcome in the community, it's sad that these stores are being built with out of town tradesmen.
With all the local unemployment, why do they feel the need to hire a general contractor from Indianapolis? An electrical contractor from Saginaw?
I won't shop there for that reason.