Friday, March 27, 1998

OfficeMax coming to town by mid-summer

By ANTHONY WILSON Staff Writer

OfficeMax should be doing business in Abilene by mid-summer.

The nation's largest office products superstore closed a deal with local developer Jack Turner Wednesday to build a 23,500-square-foot store on 2.44 acres on John Knox Drive. The store, which will neighbor Classic Inn and Toys R Us, will employ about 40 workers.

The deal is the third major development Turner and his real estate agent, Joe Haley, have negotiated over the past year. Last year, they secured contracts to build an Academy sporting goods store and a Century Theatres along John Knox.

"Once Academy closed the deal it was like the floodgates opened," Haley said Thursday. "Once somebody makes a jump in an area, everyone else wants to come in. It's fun to have so much interest in Abilene."

OfficeMax plans to begin construction on the site immediately.

The company operates 727 stores nationwide, including 56 in Texas. A Fortune 500 company, OfficeMax celebrates its 10th anniversary next month.

It will be competing directly with Office Depot, which opened last year at 4141 Buffalo Gap Road.

"They do their homework," Turner said of the newest entry. "They know their business and if it wouldn't work, they wouldn't be here."

Turner initially invested in 130 acres behind the Mall of Abilene 20 years ago. He now has about 20 acres left, some of which is under negotiation for purchase. He mentioned, but declined to identify, another national retailer on John Knox and a 200-unit, upscale apartment complex on Rolling Green across from Ward Elementary.

"We're out of land and people are still looking," Turner said. "It's been an exciting year. Abilene's future is bright."

Academy recently reported its 52,500-square-foot outdoors "megastore" will open in August. It will employ 90 workers.

Century Theatres could not be reached for comment Thursday, but is expected to open before the Christmas movie season. Masonry work is underway at the site.