Plant City shoppers now have several new options to spend their hard-earned dollars.
Michaels and Ross Dress for Less both opened last weekend, at Lake Walden Square. PetSmart joined them this week and will hold a grand opening July 27.
The stores are located at the Lake Walden Square shopping center on West Alexander Street and are the plaza’s major tenants. Ohio-based DDR is acting as the plaza’s management company.
MICHAELS
Michaels, an arts and crafts store, is located in a 13,500-square-foot space on the south side of the old Kmart building.
Michaels was the first of the three to open for business, with a soft opening July 18, including a ribbon-cutting as the newest member of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. The store held its grand opening July 21, with door prizes and giveaways, along with a regional country music station conducting a live broadcast.
“We want to have a local flair here,” Store Manager Debbie Conley said. “We love it here in Plant City and are happy to be a part of this community.”
The store offers a wide selection of arts and crafts and home décor products, along with framing services.
Michaels also will offer a kids summer camp called “Passport to Imagination,” which will be renamed “Passport to Plant City.” The camp will involve representatives from Dinosaur World, the Florida Strawberry Grower’s Association and Bruton Memorial Library. Other weekly events and classes also will be offered, including scrapbooking, knit crochet and cake decorating.
The store features a creative classroom for classes and workshops. The room is also available for children’s birthday parties.
ROSS DRESS FOR LESS
Located at the north end of the old Kmart building, Ross sits in 22,045 square feet of space. The discount retailer carries name-brand clothing, accessories, home décor and beauty products.
The chain boasts more than 1,100 stores in 33 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam.
Ross gives Plant City shoppers another retail department store option. Bealls, which has a department store, 2104 James L. Redman Parkway, and an outlet, 1407 S. Collins St., in Plant City, was the only similar chain option prior to Ross’ opening.
PETSMART
PetSmart is located next to Sally’s Beauty Supply. The 12,492 square feet store is one of nearly 1,300 stores nationwide.
“We’re here to provide the community with their pet needs for the lifetime of their pet,” Store Manager Kevin Wolf said. “We have a huge selection of cat and dog toys and treats along with premium food that you can’t just find anywhere.”
The location also sells fish, birds, reptiles and other small animals. Cats are available for adoption seven days a week, and dogs will be available for adoption on weekends.
The Plant City location will offer many of the company’s staple services, including professional grooming and dog training.
PetSmart opened for business earlier this week and will hold a grand opening July 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Mystery PetSmart gift cards for the first 50 customers will be given, with values up to $50.
NEW STORES
MICHAELS
ADDRESS: 229 W. Alexander St.
PHONE: 752-4891
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays
WEBSITE: michaels.com
ROSS DRESS FOR LESS
ADDRESS: 223 W. Alexander St.
PHONE: 752-7271
HOURS: 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays
WEBSITE: rossstores.com
PETSMART
ADDRESS: 211 W. Alexander St.
PHONE: 703-6961
GRAND OPENING: July 27
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays