A new Starbucks location on East Race Street next to Waffle House was announced on March 12, according to www.talkbusiness.net. Haag Brown Commercial Real Estate and Development is in charge of the construction of the new location.
The new Starbucks coffee shop will be part of a larger development from the Jonesboro-based company that will also include an Arkansas Braces location.
According to www.talkbusiness.net, the development project will be located on the previous Marple Auto Sales site, at the corner of East Race Street and Rand Drive.
Arkansas Business reported Joshua Brown, a principal of Haag Brown, said that Searcy is a natural stopping point for those traveling from Jonesboro to Little Rock and do not want to wait for the Starbucks in Jacksonville. For Searcy, the development means more jobs and tax revenue for the city according to Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce President, Buck Layne.
“One of the things we’re always excited about is the creation of new jobs in Searcy,” Layne said. “I think (Starbucks is) a very well-known company, and a lot of people enjoy their products. I’m looking forward to them coming to town.”
Layne said that since Starbucks is an internationally-known company, it may get people to stop in Searcy that might not stop otherwise.
Senior Sara Wallis, a shift supervisor at the campus Starbucks, said she thinks the new location is unnecessary because of Searcy’s small population.
“Why do you need two Starbucks?” Wallis said. “There is Midnight Oil and other coffee and espresso stands.”
Wallis said the new location should not affect business because of the loyal customers who have built relationships with the workers who she believes will continue to use the Starbucks at Legacy Park.
“I think we’ll still get plenty of business from students since CAB has events in the community room and it’s in walking distance,” Wallis said.
Junior Sarah Lape said she will continue to use the campus Starbucks as well as the new location on East Race Street.
“I think I’ll definitely use that Starbucks, but I’ll still use the one on campus,” Lape said. “I might use the other one to hang out off campus, or maybe if the one on campus got too crowded.”
Construction for the Starbucks project is set to begin immediately, according to www.talkbusiness.net.
