[November 25, 2009] Twin projects flourishing off U.S. 49 Tweet ASHEBORO, Nov 20, 2009 (The Randolph Guide - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Twin projects on N.C. 49 south of Asheboro are open or preparing to open after more than a year of construction. The West Pointe Village Shopping Center, located at the intersection of N.C. 49 and Oak Leaf Road, opened in the summer and, at the time of this writing, had three shops in operation. More are expected soon. Beyond the L-shaped shopping center, the West Pointe Luxury Apartments will soon be accepting residents. Being built around a pond, the complex eventually is planned to have 28 buildings and 216 apartments. Both enterprises are the brain children of Lucas Development. They're being built on 27 acres next to the Food Lion shopping center. "So far it's been pretty good," said Darren Lucas. "A lot of people are calling" about renting or buying shops. "The economy is slow but small business has been able to get loans." The shopping center, on 2.2 acres, has space for as many as 18 shops with the flexibility for some of the stores to be larger. J. Brewer & Co. Hair Studio, Super Internet Sweepstakes Business Center and Always Summer Tanning & Ice Cream were the first tenants to open their doors. Brian Lucas reported last week that a lease had been signed with Subway Sandwiches for the westernmost unit. He said the national food chain will open as soon as they get their equipment moved in and set up. In addition, he said, nine units in the shopping center "are rented or sold and we have four or five more prospects." Lucas said plans are to open the first 24 apartment units in about three weeks, with more being readied in the ensuing weeks for a total of 96 in the first phase. He said landscaping will begin in earnest this week and will continue as new buildings come on board. There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, a swimming pool, athletic courts, enclosed children's play area, exercise room with TVs, a business center with Internet and office machines, carwash facilities, on-site manager and 24-hour maintenance. The complex will be a gated community. Lucas had said last year as the projects were beginning that "we're trying to create a village" with sidewalks, walking trails, picnic areas and gazebos. Tenants will have the option of renting storage and garage space. "We've had a lot of calls," Lucas said last week. "It's incredible. We're tickled with how things are going so far." nnn A couple of the new tenants in the West Pointe Village Shopping Center moved from other locations and expressed satisfaction with their new shops. "We're very blessed," said Jennifer Brewer of J. Brewer & Co. She said her previous shop wasn't as visible as the new one at the corner nearest N.C. 49. "We rented before and were looking for a space to buy," she said. "We were able to purchase this facility and have really enjoyed it." Brewer said she has 12 stylists in her bright and airy new shop, two nail techs, a full-time assistant and a part-time assistant. "It's a great area," she said. "We've had more walk-ins than before." Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Always Summer moved to West Pointe Village from a strip mall on Shana Lane. Opened originally as a tanning salon, owner Rosalyn Grant had decided while still at Shana Lane to add ice cream when customers requested having something refreshing to enjoy when they came out of the tanning booths. Jeremy Grant, son of Rosalyn and an employee in the family business, said the move to West Pointe Village has "improved it a lot. It's easier to get into and we have better visibility. Overall, it's a better location." Always Summer offers five tanning booths and 24 varieties of ice cream. They also have banana splits, milk shakes, brownie sundaes, pretzels, chips and drinks. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. To see more of the Randolph Guide, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.randolphguide.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Randolph Guide, Asheboro, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]