Big changes

July 24, 2008 04:20 pm

— There may soon be some big changes for one of Laurel’s busiest intersections if everything goes as planned.
Pending the completion of land acquisition, a retail chain has plans to move a current Laurel business to a new building on the corner of 16th Avenue and 5th Street. Mimi’s Bridal Shop CEO Alvis Jefcoat and Lowery’s Barber Shop owner Rayford Lowery each said they have plans to move to make way for the new development.
Several people, including business owners impacted by the decision, have said CVS/pharmacy plans to build directly across from Walgreens. But, no paperwork has been filed with Laurel’s inspection department. A public relations official with CVS/pharmacy neither denied nor confirmed a new location.
“We have no announcement for a new store in Laurel at this time,” CVS/pharmacy Director of Public Relations Mike DeAngelis wrote when contacted by the Leader-Call via e-mail. “We only confirm or comment on new locations if there is a signed agreement in place.”
Regardless of which company is planning to build on the corner, at least two businesses already have plans to move very soon. In business more than 30 years in a 74-year-old building, Lowery said he’ll move even if he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“Maybe I can find someplace to go,” Lowery said as he gave customer Gerald Chase a shave. “I was looking for a place when I found this one. ... We don’t have any option. I didn’t own this building. This old building has been here since 1938. They call it ‘progress,’ I believe. I’ve been here 34 years and a half.”
A group of men were gathered at the barber shop on the corner of 5th Street and 15th Avenue. Some were talking and others waiting for their turn.
“Just make yourself at home, we do,” he said as the door opened. “I have some visitors. People just come and go. We don’t make appointments here. When I started I had two dogs, one cat, a daughter and a son. Now they’re married and got youngin’s, part of them have got youngin’s. I’m a great-grandpa three times already.”
Lowery was finishing up Chase’s shave about that time. Without missing a beat, he raised the chair and told Chase, “Sure glad you survived it. Got him looking better than when he came in today.”
Lowery hopes to stay in Laurel and move his shop as soon as he finds a location.
Jefcoat is another businessman who is being impacted by the decision to redevelop the corner. Remodeling the building twice within the past three years, Jefcoat said a new Mimi’s Bridal Shop will be constructed before the current location is demolished. Mimi’s Bridal Shop opened at their current location at 16th Avenue and 5th Street in the summer of 2005 only to have Hurricane Katrina nearly destroy the structure just weeks later. They reopened quickly and business has been steady since.
“For all practical purposes it’s all done,” Jefcoat said. “They haven’t cut the checks yet. Hopefully we’ll get the new building and be in there by December.”
Jefcoat said dirtwork at the new site — the opposite corner of his block, but still on 16th Avenue where Boots & More was once located — should begin the first part of August. Thinking about all the work his crew has invested at their location, Jefcoat said, “Kind of got reservations about it, but they wanted it bad.”
The new building will be similar to the current structure, Jefcoat said.

Photos

Rayford Lowery shaves Gerald Chase at Lowery’s Barber Shop on 5th Street in Laurel Wednesday. Lowery, who has been in business more than 34 years, will soon be moving to make way for a large development.

The northeast corner of 16th Avenue and 5th Street in Laurel will soon look completely different if everything goes as planned. The owners of Mimi’s Bridal Shop and Lowery’s Barber Shop each have plans to move to make way for a large retail store.