Athol getting a Super boost
Renderings courtesy of H.J. Grathol/Hughes Investments The first phase of The Crossings in Athol will feature a 57,000-square-foot Super 1 Foods store along with pads for other businesses such as financial institutions, restaurants, a gas station and hotel.
Construction started on Tuesday on The Crossings in Athol at the northeast corner of U.S. 95 and Highway 54. The business complex will be anchored by Super 1 Foods.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
ATHOL — A fresh breath of business is headed to Athol.
Construction on The Crossings, a 37-acre business complex to be anchored by Super 1 Foods at the northeast corner of U.S. 95 and Highway 54, began on Tuesday.
The 57,000-square-foot grocery store, which is expected to employ about 100, is anticipated to open in early spring 2018, said Alan Johnson of the H.J. Grathol development firm.
"It's a market that's completely underserved," Johnson said, referring to northern Kootenai County. "There are a lot of rooftops out in the woods."
Johnson said there has been "significant" interest from other businesses such as financial institutions, hotels, urgent care firms, restaurants and gas stations to fill the seven other pads of the 15-acre first phase. He said he couldn't provide names of those businesses because Super 1 is the only company locked up for the site.
"We've quietly been speaking with other merchants," Johnson said. "Now that we have closed escrow and the annexation is complete, we will enter into formal negotiations with other users."
Lori Yarbrough, Athol's city clerk, said anticipation of the project is building now that all the construction permits have been issued.
"We are looking forward to the potential impact this development may have for the city and the jobs it can bring," she said.
Super 1 Foods has six stores in Idaho, nine in Montana and four in Washington.
Johnson said the project's proximity to Silverwood Theme Park, Farragut State Park and U.S. 95 should make it a popular stopping place.
"We believe that the majority of the citizens are on board with it," Johnson said.
H.J. Grathol purchased the site in 2007. The annexation process started about 18 months ago.
Johnson said residential units are not planned for the project.
"There's a lot of intricacies involved, and we're drilling a well to supply the city with more water and to serve the project," he said. "It's a project that's been a long time in the making and should be good for everyone."