Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NATCHEZ — Tuesday’s groundbreaking at Trace Town is more than ushering in the construction of a Hobby Lobby in Natchez.

It’s a celebration of the redevelopment of the shopping center that was once the heart of modern retail shopping in Natchez.

The groundbreaking will launch Tracetown’s significant transformation, spearheaded by Jimmy R. Smith of Trace Town Redevelopment LLC and Natchez Hardware Center Inc., in collaboration with development partner Noon Real Estate, a shopping center development company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Smith said in a press release Friday morning that this project aims to revitalize the area and enhance the retail offerings in Natchez.

The redevelopment project at Trace Town will involve demolishing all existing structures on the property, with the exception of the U.S. Postal Service office and McDonald’s.

Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez Inc., said other buildings on the property residents think of as part of Trace Town—Red Top Seafood, County Pie, Regions Bank, and the offices located near Red Top—are not part of the Trace Town property and will remain.

New structures will be built to accommodate new tenants, resulting in 120,000 square feet of new retail space in Natchez.

Smith said in his press release that initial discussions have led to a lease agreement with Hobby Lobby for 50,000 square feet of space. Construction is expected to commence in the fall of 2025, and the grand opening is scheduled for Spring 2026.

The total investment for this redevelopment initiative is estimated to exceed $30 million and is projected to create 150 job opportunities. According to the press release, this redevelopment project is anticipated to be the largest retail endeavor in Natchez in recent years and will contribute to removing blight from the city’s landscape.

“The journey toward revitalizing Trace Town began in 2023 when Natchez Hardware Center Inc. acquired the property from JW Properties of New Orleans, the previous long-term owners of the Shopping Center, which was originally developed in the 1960s. Extensive efforts have been made to address environmental concerns, such as asbestos and hazardous materials abatement, as well as the meticulous planning for the demolition of existing structures and the subsequent development of a new retail center, all while ensuring the smooth transition of existing tenants to new spaces.

Smith said in the press release that Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Russ have been instrumental in supporting the project, offering assistance from the city and helping with crucial connections.

The brownfield reclamation program facilitated by the city has been pivotal in the abatement and demolition processes.

Smith expressed his gratitude to Gibson, Russ and JKS Engineering and Irish Consulting Services for their unwavering support and contributions to the project.

According to the press release, excitement abounds within the community regarding this transformative endeavor with Gibson praising the vision and dedication of Smith and his development team for bringing about economic rejuvenation and job creation to the area.

Russ commended the development team’s commitment to revitalizing Trace Town and bringing new opportunities to the community.

Smith emphasized the strategic significance of the location of Trace Town Shopping Center for this development, citing the high volume of pass-through traffic in the area. With the expertise of Noon Real Estate, development partners known for their successful completion of similar projects, Smith envisions making Trace Town the destination for national retail in Natchez, he said in his press release.

“Mayor Dan Gibson has been behind this project from the start and offered any help he could from the city. Chandler Russ is also behind this project and has been very helpful in helping get the right contacts. They have helped facilitate the brownfield reclamation program to help with the abatement and demolition process,” Smith said. He also thanked JKS Engineering and Irish Consulting Serves for working through the site planning and engineering process.

“I believe this is the best location in Natchez for a development like this with the north-south and east-west traffic that passes through this area. It is basically the center of Natchez,” Smith said.

“Words are inadequate to describe our excitement about this historic project. Thanks to the vision and commitment of Jimmy Smith and his development team, we are about to see a complete transformation of what has been a blighted property into a center of economic opportunity and jobs. The Natchez Renewal continues to move forward, and we are grateful,” Gibson said.

“Jimmy Smith is a seasoned professional with an impressive track record. I’m delighted that he and his partners are moving forward with the revitalization of Trace Town. Like many long-time residents of Natchez, I have numerous cherished memories of the area. I am extremely grateful for this investment and dedication to our community. We are committed to supporting and assisting in any way possible and eagerly anticipate the project taking shape and thriving,” Russ said.