By P.J. Tracy
Murfreesboro Diamond
MURFREESBORO — After close to two years without a grocery store, Murfreesboro area residents will no longer live in a food desert and will soon be able to bring home the bacon without having to travel outside of town.
Local businessman Jack Bonds has announced that a grocery store will be constructed across from Pawn Kings on South Washington Avenue in Murfreesboro.
Bonds said the plan is to have a full-fledged grocery store featuring a fresh meat market and fully stocked produce section.
“It will be incumbent on the residents of the town to shop there as much as they can — in order for this to be a success, we can’t have everyone still going out of town to purchase their groceries. As with all of our town’s businesses, local trade is essential for both the business owners and the residents of our great small town.
He added that a grocery store is important for the long term success of Murfreesboro.
“It is also an important segment in the goal of retaining population and keeping the town alive, ultimately. The population is declining, and we need to draw a line in the sand in order to reverse the trend of downward growth. The addition of a grocery store to Murfreesboro is one of the vital steps toward making that goal a success.”
In another point toward that line of thinking, Bonds said that he deliberated using an old building or building a new edifice, and opted for the latter to better help with the overall look of the town. Along with the new building, the area will be nicely landscaped and attractive for the residents of the area.
Bonds thanked First State Bank for being “exceedingly helpful” in financing the project, a fact the truly appreciates.
He also was complementary of Murfreesboro Mayor Jim O’Neal for not only his longstanding effort to get a new grocer in town, but also for his full support of this project going forward.
Construction on the store, which will be named Chimney Rock Grocery, will begin as soon as bids are gathered from general contractors. The name is derived from the local landmark on Lake Greeson.
“We wanted to name it after something important to the community, and everyone who grew up here knows Chimney Rock.”
Bonds said ultimately he is looking to help the community thrive with the effort.
“We are excited about serving the solid, hard-working people of our community with a home-grown and home-owned business. Those are favorable aspects for the local area — supporting each other, the local schools, and chamber. We will be a real asset to everyone involved. It’s not about making money as much as it is being a steward for the community. As my grandmother aways said, if you want a good neighbor, you have to be a good neighbor.”
Mayor O’Neal beamed when asked about his take on the addition to the town.
“I don’t know what’s the right word … excited?” he said with a laugh.
He said it had been a long 17 months since the fire gutted the former Cash Savers grocery store, and after many visits and calls to attract a store to Murfreesboro it was beyond refreshing that it looked like it was finally going to happen.
“I’ve met with people and groups since the fire – of all topics I have dealt with as mayor, this is by far the number one discussed issue … more than all the rest put together.”
He echoed Bond’s statement that the city needed to take advantage of the store when it arrives.
“I’d like to encourage all the town’s residents to use the store as much as possible,” he said, acknowledging that many people had become accustomed to shopping in other area towns and that Wal-Mart now delivers to Murfreesboro. “Please use the [local] grocery store – be kind enough to take advantage of this opportunity.”
He agreed that should the venture fail because of lack of local patronage, it would be unlikely that another grocer would invest in the town.
“We need to utilize it as best we can and shop at home,” O’Neal concluded.
