Jacksonville Prepares for Three New Retailers

“Jacksonville has a lot to offer,” said Tom Marx of Marx Commercial Development Co. “I love the community, the people are nice, and the City has been really great to work with.” Marx owns the former Shopko building and has big plans to bring new retailers into the space.

The 100,000-square-foot commercial building sits on 18.5 acres in Jacksonville’s west end. “Finding a single tenant out there that wants that much space in a smaller community is pretty tough. So we’re going to subdivide it,” Marx said. And soon, there will be three new national brands in the space.  

A Plan for Jacksonville

Marx was the general contractor for a Staples store in neighboring Quincy. Soon after, Staples wanted to do an expansion, and with property available in Jacksonville, Marx was ready to invest. “I ended up buying the building that Harbor Freight is in now. And as the general contractor for the new Staples store, I found myself in Jacksonville every day.” Now, Marx intends to do his part to bring more retailers into the area.

Work is currently underway on a new Hobby Lobby store, which will open by the middle of 2024. The company signed a 10-year lease. A second retailer has committed and will occupy 30,000 square feet in the center portion of the same building. However, the company is not ready to announce its plans, but it will likely be announced in early 2024. Marx is still working on a third retailer and intends to add an 18,000-square-foot building that would connect to the existing building and make space for some smaller tenants.

“I can’t say enough about the city.”

These types of deals don’t happen quickly. There is a lot of research – What brands do well in smaller markets? Which of those are in Springfield? Quincy? – community and site visits – Does the community have the right space in the right location? – negotiations – How much is the company willing to pay per foot? What do they need from the landlord? – and then finally, licensing and permitting.

“The city of Jacksonville has kept all of this moving,” Marx said. “They’ve been helpful in all aspects. From the mayor down – they’ve all been supportive of my endeavors. It’s really set a good precedent for future projects.”  

Businesses have access to assistance and resources in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) and our partners work together to provide businesses already located in Scott and Morgan counties, as well as site selectors and executives considering moving to our area financial assistance and resources. You’ll find opportunities for tax incentives, grants, low-interest-rate loans and a variety of programs that provide confidential support and outreach to other businesses and government entities that can help you build your business here.

If you’re interested in learning more about the opportunities and support we have to offer, please reach out to us here at JREDC! You can also find much more information on our website. We can’t wait to work with you.