Expanded Save Mart Pharmacy building proposed at former location
By Larry Briscoe
Correspondent
The Quinlan Economic Development Corporation heard a request Monday night for a grant and loan package for construction of a pharmacy.
Longtime Quinlan pharmacist Craig Waters presented the proposal for an expanded version of Save Mart Pharmacy at the original pharmacy location and potential new site at the intersection of Hwy. 34 and Hwy. 276.
The business is temporarily located at 741 E. Quinlan Pkwy.
Waters asked for a $250,000 grant “to offset the building costs associated with the project outlined in this plan. Additionally, Save Mart Pharmacy would ask that consideration be given by the city of Quinlan to also provide Save Mart Pharmacy with a $150,000 low-interest loan that will assist with the building development.”
The company owners include Waters, Gary Daley and Starkey Smith. Smith also owns the land where the construction is proposed. The Smith family owned and operated a supermarket, Save Mart, there beginning in the 1970s.
Waters said Starkey Smith retained ownership of the one-acre corner site proposed for the pharmacy but sold the remaining Save Mart location and remainder of the building.
A request for grant assistance from the new owners for development of a new retail center was also made recently to the QEDC. The proposal included letters of intent to locate Beall’s and Hibbet Sports in the center.
“Craig and his team have already spent considerable time evaluating the Quinlan market to determine the optimum location that would best serve the citizens of Quinlan,” the plan presented by Waters states. “We are proposing a 3,500 square-foot building with drive-through service.”
The anticipated construction start date of the new pharmacy is Dec. 1. The completion target and grand reopening of Save Mart Pharmacy is August 2015.
“While large pharmacy chains attempt to serve the basic prescription needs of our community, Save Mart Pharmacy can also meet these basic prescription needs as well as the many specialized needs of our Quinlan residents and our citizens in nursing homes, group homes, personal care centers and school systems,” the proposal states.
“Our customized approach to patient care is what today’s physicians demand and deserve. It is the unique approach of Save Mart Pharmacy and the flexibility of our delivery model that is so important to retaining quality healthcare providers in Quinlan, both now and into the future.”
No action was taken on the request or on the one previously presented.
Other business
QEDC projects currently underway and under discussion were discussed by members.
One of the projects is a joint venture with Quinlan Independent School District and the city of Quinlan for development of a community park.
Member Tommy Underwood said survey work had been completed on the park and said the school board was expected to discuss it at its meeting next week.
A city welcome sign is in the works for Quinlan.
Member Jacky Goleman showed a picture of a welcome sign in Terrell on SH 80 and suggested one similar might be suitable for Quinlan. The QEDC has discussed locating the sign at the southwest corner of the SH 276 and SH 34 intersection across from the former cotton gin.
A grant from the Texas Department of Transportation was recently approved for landscaping that could be utilized for the sign.
A proposal for an industrial park presented at last month’s meeting was again discussed.
Goleman commented the QEDC already had two projects underway including one for waterlines in Last Frontier and one for the community park. He said the waterlines would cost about $300,000, and the group had contributed $250,000 toward the park. He questioned whether the QEDC would have funds for the industrial park left out of its $1.3 million in the bank.
Member Carol Petty said the cost would not be getting any cheaper.
Goleman said the project would also require expenditures for roads and sewer to the location as well as other improvements.
City Administrator John Adel suggested one alternative would be to request a short-term option from the seller “to give you guys time to consider.”
Member Charlie Thompson asked if the property was the best location.
Petty said it was probably the cheapest available at this time.
Thompson reviewed his earlier suggestion that bylaw changes be made to allow appointments to the QEDC board from an area outside the city limits. He said he felt it would be advantageous to the city to allow such appointments.
Goleman asked that members be provided with state law regarding the proposal.
President Richard Whitehead presided.
All members of the board were present except Carolyn Strickland.