Corporate officials are making plans to reopen the Goody’s store in its previous Westgate Plaza location, according to the Web site of its parent company.
Specialty Retailers Inc., a Texas-based retailer and subsidiary of Stage Stores, acquired the Goody’s trademark when the company declared bankruptcy in 2009.
“We recognized by Goody’s going out of business that it left a void in a lot of markets,” said Bob Aronson, Stage Stores vice president of investor relations, in a previous interview with another media outlet. “There are a number of desirable markets that would be good for our stores. Goody’s has strong name recognition in those areas. By acquiring the rights to the name, it gives us the flexibility to use it if we choose to.”
Many Goody’s shoppers might be familiar with Stage Stores if they’ve shopped in the Opp location of Peebles, one of four names under which the Texas retailer operates.
The Web site lists the opening date as “coming soon.”
John Tisdale, who owns Westgate Plaza, declined to comment on the company’s return. Phone calls to the corporate office also went unreturned on Friday.
Tisdale did confirm that a new steak house will open in the former location of Mendoza’s in coming weeks. The restaurant also is in Westgate Plaza.
The Andalusia City Council last night rezoned property on U.S. 29 South from residential to business.
Director of Planning Andy Wiggins said the property, referred to as the Wallace property, is next to Southside Baptist Church and in front of the Chamber of Commerce. It is surrounded by similarly zoned property, he said.
The council, which moved its meeting from its regular Tuesday night schedule so that members could attend the chamber banquet, also:
• agreed to pay half of the cost of relocating a gas line in the construction of the industrial access road.
• announced two openings on the Andalusia Public Library Board.
Looking to take a trip to somewhere that has natural beauty, rich culture, historic cities and friendly locals?
Ireland may be the place for you, and Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center is looking for locals who are interested in taking the trip.
The tour will include a Burlington Cabaret dinner and show, Bunratty Castle, a medieval banquet, Dublin Castle, kiss the Blarney stone, visit the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Blarney Wooden Mills and Japanese gardens, among other scenes.
The exact itinerary will depend on how many people sign up, Debbie Carter of the AAC said.
“I had never thought of Ireland until my daughter went,” she said. “It’s a beautiful, breathtaking country.
“Every-thing is green in the winter months,” she said. “So I’m sure the summer months will be beautiful. A lot of local citizens have ancestors from there.”
Carter said that anyone age 21 and up is welcome to go on the trip.
“Although we don’t have the exact cost mapped out, it will depend on the number of people going, and the exact date we go,” she said. “The price will include a plane ticket, bus tour and a lot of the meals will be included. Our plan is to go sometime this summer.”
Carter said the plan is to take a six or eight-day tour, but said it will probably be a six-day, four-night trip.
“Also, people considering going should remember they will need a passport,” she said.
Anyone interested in going on the trip, should contact the AAC at 222-6891 no later than Feb. 14.
“It’s going to be a great trip,” Carter said. “So, don’t miss out.”
The City of Andalusia’s Ambassadors will be among the 92 entries in Monday’s parade saluting the inauguration of Dr. Robert Bentley as Alabama’s 53rd governor.
The local group, comprised of 12 Andalusia High School students selected in an interview process, will be the 58th feature in the parade that will be led by the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band.
Jerri Stroud, who directs the ambassadors for the city, said the school system was contacted about the band’s participation. When there was a conflict with that, Superintendent Ted Watson suggested the ambassadors, as they represent both the school and the city.
“This is a great opportunity for these kids,” Mrs. Stroud said.
Monday’s weather will be slightly cool and there is a 40 percent chance of rain. But Mrs. Stroud said the group will march up Dexter Avenue in dress uniform.
“I told them to wear thermals underneath,” she said.
The group will leave Andalusia about 6 a.m., and will stay for afternoon events in Montgomery Biscuits Stadium if the weather holds.
Ambassadors include Dilan Manring, Michael Kelly, Stephen Caton, Millard McWhorter, Jay Brewer, Sam Fairley, Catherine Grace Searcey, Kathryn Williams, Anna Bay McCord, Haley Moody, Devin Williamson and Morgan Palmer.
At least 30 new health care jobs will be coming to Andalusia in the coming months, officials said Wednesday.
Gamma HealthCare, a group based out of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announced the construction of a new state of the art clinical laboratory located inside the new Physicians Park building being built across from Andalusia Regional Hospital.
Mayor Earl Johnson called the announcement “very exciting.”
“This will be a tremendous asset for this community,” he said. “It will provide many opportunities for the city. Andalusia is very interested in this.”
The 12,000 square foot building is being constructed by Olan Harden, Marc McIntyre and Dr. Tim Day of the HDM Group LLC, which will also house the offices of Dr. Day, Dr. Tara Harden and Dr. Ashton Wells, all local surgeons.
“We are excited to have Gamma HealthCare Inc. as a laboratory provider for our community,” Olan Harden said. “They will be able to provide high quality health care services to the local physicians and the citizens of the communities we serve.”
Jerry Murphy, chairman and owner of Gamma HealthCare, said the company is grateful to become involved in the community.
The new facility will allow the company to expand its clinical laboratory services to the state of Alabama and the entire Southeast, Murphy said.
“This project will provide the City of Andalusia and the surrounding areas with a choice for their laboratory testing needs,” he said.
Murphy said the company provides services such as X-rays in nursing homes, medical waste disposal services, phlebotomy services, health and wellness testing and drug screening, among other services.
Murphy said that Andalusia was a draw for his company because it was the type of market they were looking for and its central location.
“Andalusia will be a vital part of our growth strategy in the Southeast,” he said. “We will be able to service Southern Missi-ssippi, Alabama, Western Georgia and Nort-hwest Florida from this location.”
McI-ntyre said the building is expected to take about five months to complete.
“Andalusia is the most business friendly city I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” he said.
The exact time line for when hiring will begin isn’t known; however, one may visit gammahealthcare.com to see job openings.