A major grocery has backed off of Peter Brodsky’s Southern Dallas mall redevelopment.
Brodsky, the developer behind the Shops at RedBird redevelopment, confirmed last week that the highly anticipated Tom Thumb store would no longer be part of the project, the Dallas Business Journal reported. Albertsons, the parent company of Tom Thumb, pulled out of the deal after terminating an incentives agreement with the City of Dallas.
The grocery store, originally planned for 50,000 square feet near 3662 West Camp Wisdom Road, was expected to bring significant economic benefits to the neighborhood, including 90 jobs.
Despite his best efforts to convince the chain to move forward with the development, Brodsky was not surprised when he learned that Tom Thumb was reconsidering.
Albertsons cited a “difficult decision” in its announcement, referencing a thorough economic evaluation and discussions with the City of Dallas. Brodsky speculated that the decision was based on concerns about the store’s viability in the area.
“While Tom Thumb was taking a risk in terms of operating the store, we were taking a huge risk in terms of building the store,” Brodsky said. “We were absolutely putting our money where our mouth is and would happily do so today because we believe so strongly in the purchasing power of the community.”
Tom Thumb’s withdrawal marks a significant setback for the RedBird redevelopment. The project aims to transform a 107-acre former mall into a mixed-use hub with offices, residential, retail and restaurants. Palladium developed a 300-unit apartment complex at RedBird, and the project has also drawn a Starbucks store, as well as a UT Southwestern Medical Center outpost.
Brodsky and co-developer Terrence Maide believe the market around RedBird would support a big-name grocery chain given the opportunity.
“People will spend that money if they’re given a high-quality product to buy,” Brodsky said, pointing to the success of other tenants such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Foot Locker.
The development team is now refocusing its efforts on finding an alternative grocery store partner.
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