Link here to the Bismarck Tribune.
A Minnesota-based investment company will spend $100 million to pull people into city-like shopping plazas and away from their traditional downtowns in some towns in the oil patch.
Oppidan Investment Co. is just days from turning a shovel on an upscale shopping venue in Watford City and will wait for spring to begin work on retail projects in Stanley and Tioga.
The company is centering the retail development around Coborn's Co. Cash Wise Foods grocery stores that are three to five times the size of grocery stores in those towns now. They'll be paired with liquor stores and retailers — McDonalds, gas stores, Alco, and hair salons, depending on the location.
Search "Oppidan" at MDW for more on this company in the oil patch.
As someone who moved to Watford City six months ago, and will be here at least a few years, this is welcome news.
ReplyDeleteThe local businesses don't seem to provide an alternative to Williston or Dickinson, they're simply there for when you can't be bothered to make the drive. And they price accordingly.
The owner of Liebel's Jack and Jill stated in the article that he has plans for his business, but I can't help but notice that he's listed it for sale with Basin Brokers.
Very interesting.
DeleteThis new retail center in Watford will be awesome for the community. Not having to make that drive to Williston a couple days a week for groceries and the Wal-mart items that will now be available at ALCO.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be very, very nice. Also another option for Alexander folks.
DeleteI was really surprised when I drove to Williston on Highway 2 from Minot. They are developing the 13 mile corner and building another large Truck stop. It is called Pilot. I looked it up, and Pilot is a larger franchse than Love's, which is also building a large truck stop 4 miles north of Williston. Interesting how businesses are truly developing along the highways and further out and away from the towns and cities. Who would of thought they would come across a Pilot truck stop 13 miles outside of Williston. I can see the logic though, it will sit at the junction of 2&85 where the 2 highways split to the east and north into Canada. Pretty crazy building going on in NW North Dakota, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. To the best of my knowledge that has not been posted on the blog, and I don't recall seeing it in the Williston Wire, though I could have missed it.
DeleteYou are correct; according to Wiki, it is the largest franchiser of long-haul truck diesel. Watch for a stand-alone post on this.
Thank you. Huge story.
Just one more data point that suggests this boom is not temporary.
Hi Bruce, this is the link to the 13 Mile Center your previous poster was talking about. It does indeed include a Pilot truck stop, and the same developers who are supposed to be building a Radisson Hotel in Williston, are considering a hotel at the 13 mile corner as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.13milecenter.com/#!about-13-mc
Wow, the teen-agers who get their driving permits/driving licenses now have a new destination! Who wudda thought! Willistonites have go to have a third weekend of July cruising weekend: showing off their cars and driving out to 13-mile corner and back.
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