By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–In what now is a farm field at the intersection of Hwy. 218 and Mineral Wells Avenue, a groundbreaking was held Thursday morning for the Paris Crossings Retail Center.
Paris Mayor Kathy Ray described it as “the largest development Henry County has ever seen” and Developer Brandon Buchanan said, “We’re proud to say we’re 100 percent leased”. Projections are for the retail center to be completed by the summer of 2026, he said.
Phase 1 of the center will feature the opening of retail outlets Hobby Lobby, Aldi, Pet Smart, TJ Maxx, Bath & Body Works, Rack Room Shoes, Ultra, Burlington, and Five Below. Phase 2 will involve construction of a housing development.
“This is a great day in Paris,” Buchanan said. “From concept to reality, it’s been our goal to bring high quality tenants” to Paris Crossings and enhance the local sales tax, property tax, and not to mention: hundreds of new jobs. “We’re really excited about this.”
Brandon is a West Tennessee native and brings nearly two decades of real estate experience to his role as Principal Broker at Buchanan Realty Group. The Buchanan group is also bringing the Starbucks to Paris (also on Mineral Wells Ave.)
Working with city and county staff was a “breath of fresh air”, he said, describing them as “business-friendly, which doesn’t happen all the time.”
City Manager Kim Foster said city officials are “thrilled” that this day has come. One of her aims as City Manager, she said, was recruitment, and with recently-retired Community Development Director Jennifer Morris and the new Director Jessica Crouch, that has become a reality for the city. County Industrial Committee Director Rob Goad and Assistant Director Tara Wilson played a big role in developing a incentive plan for the new shopping center.
Foster thanked all the staff and departments, in the city and county government, which came together to make the project a reality. “This project truly is a game changer for our community.”
County Mayor Randy Geiger said the county is “grateful for this opportunity and thankful for all the hard work. Folks are really excited about this and we appreciate your investment in our community.”
Paris-Henry County Chamber Director Leslie Henegar said the project will have a ‘major economic impact on the community”, as well as the surrounding counties.
The land for both phases of the development amounts to 41.6 acres of land and an additional parcel of 14.312 acres.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.