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NATCHEZ — Workers installed a new, modern sign at Trace Town Shopping Center today, heralding the retail shopping adventures that will soon come to Natchez.

Anchor store with the name of anchor store Hobby Lobby.

Natchez businessman Jimmy Smith and partners are redeveloping the shopping center and will spend approximately $40 million to do so. It will be the largest retail development in Natchez in many decades.

Hobby Lobby is under construction now and Smith said they expect to open in the Spring of 2026. That’s earlier than originally planned, Smith said.

Smith and his team are in negotiation with several other major retailers, but he said he won’t discuss those until deals are signed.

“Today is indeed a day of celebration for Natchez. Hobby Lobby will be the anchor for what will soon be a $40 million retail development, the largest we’ve seen in Southwest Mississippi in four decades,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. “The Natchez Renewal continues to roll, and we are so very grateful.”