Serving:
- Fenton
- High Ridge
- House Springs
- Cedar Hill
- Dittmer
Business
These Organizations are here to serve you:
THF Breaks Ground for High Ridge Commons
Wearing hard hats and using shovels tied with ribbons, public officials and representatives of THF Realty and Walmart officially broke ground on High Ridge Commons September 9. The new shopping center will have a Walmart Supercenter, as its anchor tenant.
The project has been a long time in coming. It was three years ago when THF broke ground for the road into the proposed shopping center, says Michael Staenberg, President of THF Realty. Getting to this point has taken the cooperation and hard work of many, he says.
“There is no I in team, and it’s taken a team effort to get here,” Staenberg said.
The shopping center will feature 175,000 square feet of retail space. In addition to Walmart, there will be six out lots for shops and two free standing buildings for restaurants. The center is expected to open in August of 2012.
Jefferson County Councilman Charles Groeteke, District 4 welcomed THF and Walmart to Jefferson County. The project that has taken “years of patience and persistence” will have “an impact that’s immeasurable on the local economy,” Groeteke said. Jefferson County residents will no longer have to travel to St. Louis County to make their purchases and sales tax dollars will no longer go to St. Louis County but to Jefferson County, Goeteke says.
“This will bring a first class buying experience for residents, local jobs and local tax revenue,” Groeteke said.
The new shopping center has the potential to create as many as 650 jobs, Staenberg says.
About 350 of those jobs will be at Walmart, says Glenda Fleming-Willis, Regional General Manager for Walmart. Next summer when the new Walmart opens, the Walmart in House Springs will close. Then the 115 employees from House Springs will be transferred to the new High Ridge Store, says Willis. At least an additional 200 employees will be needed at the new store.
The new Walmart Supercenter will feature a full grocery line with a bakery and deli. There will be a Tire & Lube Express department, pharmacy, vision center and a full photo lab. There also will be an in store restaurant but the decision on which franchise has not yet been made. Daniel Webb recently named Store Manager at House Springs will be the Store Manager at the High Ridge Commons Walmart.
Of the proximity to the Fenton Walmart Supercenter, Willis says there are enough potential sales to go around and the new store will not create competition but convenience for the Jefferson County community.
“The benefit is that there will be a broader assortment of products to meet the need for a one stop shopping experience for residents,” Willis said.
From left to right: Susan Tuggle - School Board Director & President of the Northwest Chamber of Commerce
Brian Haskins - High Ridge Fire Department Board of Directors & School Board
Charles Groeteke - Vice Chairman of the County Council of Jefferson County District #4
Don Bickowski, County Council of Jefferson County District #1
Michael Staenberg, President of THF Realty
Ken Waller, County Executive of Jefferson County
Glenda Flemming-Willis, Walmart Regional General Manager
Daniel Webb, Store manager of the new Walmart at High Ridge Commons
Dr. Paul Ziegler, Superintendant of Northwest R1
