Tepperman's says the future is bright in Sarnia-Lambton.
The family owned retailer hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning, marking the start of construction of its new concept store in the London Road Shopping Centre.
President Andrew Tepperman says it feels like the city is about to burst positively -- and they want to be ready for it
"There's a lot going on I find, with the college, Bluewater Health and who know's what's going to happen with NOVA... but it feels good anyway," says Tepperman. "All the micro/macro economic things feel good with low interest rates, housing is strong. Everything just feels really good right now and that was the foundation and reason why we moved."
Tepperman says the new store will have modern features and the latest technology.
"The building's going to be 40,000 sq ft. It's going to look nothing like our current store at Lambton Mall. We actually hired a designer out of New York for the first time, to come up with the ideas. We're going to have the Bargain Annex brand, which will be a store within a store concept, and we're going to create a drive-through customer pickup experience."
There are also plans for a café and kids area in the store.
Construction is now underway and hoped to be complete in the spring of next year.
Lucror Investments is in the midst of a $10-million, five-year plan to redevelop the former Zellers plaza into a modern, outdoor, stand-alone shopping centre.
Tepperman's had been a tenant at Lambton Mall since 1993.