WHAT'S NEXT FOR WOODY'S ???

West Carrollton eager to see what's in store for Woody's Market site
By Lisa Bernard

Friday, March 09, 2007
WEST CARROLLTON— As city leaders and local developers prepare to unveil plans for the former Woody's Market site next week, West Carrollton business owners are taking in a cautious sigh of relief. Once a bustling mega-market and restaurant, Woody's closed its doors in 1999. Lingering since has been a rainbow colored shell — 70,000 square feet of empty space that cast a long shadow across Dixie Drive. "It's like a carcass that has been lying here," said Bill Castro, owner of El Meson, which neighbors the former market. "It was a success story during its time, but now it's time to move on."

Castro is among a contingent of West Carrollton business owners who will be watching closely as redevelopment plans unfold in the next week for the nearly two-acre site. "What we hope it won't be is just another exit off of I-75, with fast-food restaurants and gas stations and every other aspect of chains that has been created to keep us from being unique, and a destination," Castro added. Denny Holloway, owner of Holly's Home Cooking on Dixie Drive, agreed.

"There's been a lot more stuff pulled out of town, than what we've gotten back in to town," Holloway said, pointing to the 2000 closing of furniture giant Roberds and the 2001 shut down of Fraser Papers. "You can't replace it with car lot after car lot and fast food places."
Still, there are some who believe the former market remains an attraction in its own right.
"It's kind of a landmark in West Carrollton," said Dixie Drive barber shop owner Baron Prittchett. "I still think it's a shame they're going to tear down a restaurant that goes over a road. That could be a draw to the city if you just keep that structure in place."

Montgomery County grant documents indicate the former market is to be torn down, with plans for mixed-use retail to go in its place. However, those closest to the proposed redevelopment have remained tight-lipped, promising to deliver the full plans Thursday. "This is very significant for the city of West Carrollton and for the region in general," said West Carrollton Economic Development Director Kathy Perkins.

What's next? According to Montgomery County grant records, the following plans for the former Woody's Market could be: A more than $1 million redevelopment by Unified Developers Group, which includes demolition of current building. An approximately 25,000-square-foot building, of which 15,000 feet would be use for "production" facility. Specialty cake and caterer A Taste of Elegance, is said to be working with UDG. Additional space could be occupied by small grocery, a dairy and/or drug store. An additional 5,000-square-foot building, across Dixie Drive, which could house a bank or similar operation.
- posted by Mikey @ 3:40 PM