May 10, 2016
Butler Plaza seems to be an ever-expanding property with no limits to the number of retailers and restaurants it will hold. With constant construction, additions and new tenants, there is always something fresh.
Butler Plaza North, the massive expansion that has been in the works since October of 2014, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. With over 750,000 square feet of retail space and parking, you are sure to find everything you need here, especially with the highly anticipated openings of some major big box stores this summer, including Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The new Wal-Mart will be larger than the current Gainesville store with much more of a selection and greater inventory.
There’s more slated to open this summer, including Jimmy John’s (yay sandwiches), Aldi (more groceries), Eyeglass Express (always useful) and Orange Theory Fitness (for you to get your workout on).
The massive Butler Plaza expansion is part of Butler Plaza Enterprises’ goal to “keep the Gainesville consumer in Gainesville.” The company does not want Gainesville residents to have to travel far to find the stores that they need and want. Dick’s Sporting Goods, scheduled to open in June, and Marshall’s clothing store, which previously did not have a location in Gainesville, are central to the plan.
The Sam’s Club is a relocation of their current location on Northwest 13th Street and is expected to open in July. The master plan for the expansion involves all of the stores that are attached to the current Wal-Mart location on Archer Road to eventually relocate to Butler Plaza North. Then, the older stores will be demolished and the 350,000 -square-foot Butler Town Center will be built in its place.
Butler Town Center’s goal is to bring exciting lifestyle retail experiences to Gainesville, and is slated to be finished in 2018. Whole Foods will be the new center’s anchor.
For the full article, check out wuft.org.
