ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A major grocery store chain could soon be claiming a long-abandoned storefront in Rockledge.
A developer has a proposal that would bring a Walmart Neighborhood Market to the Village Green Shopping Center.
The city was first approached with the idea about two months ago.
The shopping center is located near the intersection of Fiske and Barton boulevards.
Some area residents told Channel 9's Mel Holt that as long as they've lived in the area, the storefront has been empty. They said it's time this space was put to use.
The storefront once housed a Winn Dixie grocery. But that store closed a decade ago.
City officials said they believe that may be about to change.
"Yeah, we're getting a Walmart," said resident Beverly Shorter.
The Rockledge City Planning and Zoning Department confirmed on Tuesday that it was approached a couple of months ago by a south Florida developer who is currently negotiating to buy the space in the hopes of bringing the Walmart grocery.
According to the developer's website, there is a letter of intent to purchase the property.
The current proposal calls for a 41,000-square-foot grocery.
"You've got a lot of people who live down the street. They can walk like they used to and do their grocery shopping, do their business and go home," said resident Richard Ingraham.
City officials said the proposal is still in the negotiation phase and nothing has been submitted to the planning department.
Many think a major retailer could provide this plaza with a new anchor and some much needed jobs.
"I think it'll do well here and that's what we need," said Ingraham.
Holt reached out to the development company for comment but received no response.
WFTV
