Downtown Mt. Vernon gets new lease on life

“I grew up in this area,” said Jane Hood, director of Mt. Vernon’s Economic Development Corp. “That building has been a grocery store and a Laundromat for as along as I can remember.”

Now the old building, which sat vacant for five years, has some new tenants – three of them.

Brad’s True Value Hardware, Radio Shack and a new Alps grocery market have moved into the downtown location. The stores held grand openings Nov. 6.

Brad Runcie, owner of the True Value store, said the building had several positive features.

“There’s a lot of parking and traffic here,” he said. “It also gives us more visibility and a bigger location.”

The building was purchased by Alps chain owner Andy Lowe. Lowe leases space to Runcie and to Radio Shack owner Sam Logan.

Mt. Vernon Economic Development Corp. President Bill Lee said the building’s reoccupation means a lot to the town.

“That store had been sitting vacant for a number of years,” Lee said, “and their presence in that building has a significant impact on the retail market in our area, as well as the retail market of the entire business loop. They have filled a void that has existed for some time, and not only have they enhanced their own businesses but they have enhanced the opportunity for the public to do business with them.”

Hood said downtown Mt. Vernon has a lot of attractive factors for small-business owners.

“I’ve had so many people say it kind of reminds them of a Mayberry-type atmosphere,” she said. “People wave at you that you don’t even know, and it’s just a really friendly and warm community.”

Hood also said there is an aesthetic appeal to the downtown area.

“I think downtown, particularly the square, the buildings are so beautiful,” she said. The former grocery store is not the only building getting attention. A sale of the former Country Flame plant is proceeding, though no deal has been finalized for the 85,000-square-foot facility, Lee said. Lee also said a deal has been struck for the 14,400-square-foot building that used to house the Betty Dawn Uniform Co. on West Dallas, though he would not name the new owners.

Part of the success is due to the work of Hood, who began working with the EDC in February after retiring from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Lee said Hood has been instrumental in the town’s recent economic growth.

“Jane has been a tremendous help,” he said. “She’s a valuable asset for our community with her knowledge and her experience in the economic development field. We have been able, through her efforts, to plant a lot of seeds this year, and as you know it takes time for roots to grow and take hold and things to actually blossom from activity. But she’s done a lot of legwork to plant those seeds and pass on the interest that our community has in growth and bringing business and industry to our community. She’s doing a wonderful job.”

[[In-content Ad]]