Brandon Twp.- The Tractor Supply Company could be the next tenant of the former James Lumber building, located at 700 S. Ortonville Road.
‘We are definitely interested in the community and are looking at property,? said Susan Morgenstern, a spokesperson for TSC, a farm and ranch retailer with more than 700 stores in 38 states, including 57 stores in Michigan. ‘We would like to work out the right deal, but it hasn’t happened yet.?
That could change if the planning commission approves alterations for the current site, in which signage would be redone and one of two metal buildings removed to allow for truck delivery.
James Lumber opened at the location in 2001, in the vacant 21,000 square-foot Hamady Brothers grocery store building, but closed last fall following poor lumber sales.
John Healy, general manager of Park West Commercial Real Estate Development and Management, said he hopes to have TSC placed on the agenda for the next planning commission meeting, set for 7:30 p.m., Aug. 28, at the township offices, 395 Mill St.
‘If we get that approval, which I believe we will, we’ll be ready to go,? said Healy, whose company would purchase the property from James Lumber and lease to TSC. ‘I have no commitment from TSC until I get that approval. I will have commitment from them shortly after.?
Tim Palulian, building and planning director for the township, does not foresee a problem granting the TSC requests.
‘We’re looking forward to getting them in that building,? he said. ‘I don’t suspect it will be a problem. They are going to increase the outside storage a little bit, but other than that, it’s a one for one exchange. They would be a nice addition to our township.?
According to the TSC website, tractorsupply.com, the company was founded in 1938, is headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., and employs more than 10,000 workers. Stores are ‘primarily located in rural areas and the outlying suburbs of major cities. The typical Tractor Supply store has 15,000-24,000 square feet of inside selling space with a similar amount of outside space used to display agricultural fencing, livestock equipment and horse stalls.?
Other products sold include welders, generators, pet supplies, animal feed, men’s and women’s workwear, power tools, riding mowers and lawn and garden products.