A Whole Foods grocery, restaurants and other stores will be built near DeKalb Medical Center's main hospital outside Decatur with the help of more than $1.8 million in tax incentives.
The store that will anchor the development, a 365 by Whole Foods Market, is a smaller grocery store with lower prices than traditional Whole Foods Market locations. The 18-acre project is expected to create about 325 jobs with private investment of more than $100 million, according to developer S.J. Collins Enterprises.
The tax incentives, approved unanimously Friday by the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, give S.J. Collins a break on property taxes during the next 10 years. During that time, the project will generate about $8.9 million in tax revenue for county and school system governments.
“365 by Whole Foods Market really brings the sense of community and a foodie culture,” said Jeff Garrison, a partner with S.J. Collins. “We’re bringing in a lot of sit-down restaurants, chef-driven restaurants, fast-casual restaurants, boutique shops and everyday essentials.”
Construction is expected to begin in January, and stores are scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2018. The development is located at the corner of North Decatur Road and Church Street, taking the place of a car dealership.
“This one is an absolute winner for DeKalb County,” said Don Bolia, a member of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority.
About the Author
