I noticed today that some major renovation work has started on the old Service Merchandise building on the north side of NW Expressway between Meridian and MacArthur. Has anyone heard anything about what may be going on there?

http://servicemerchandise.com/

I remember going to those stores. The memories while growing up.

Red Neck Flea Market

What is in the big building a the very back of that property?

Or is it still vacant?


Good grief, that stretch of NW Expressway just before McArthur and all the way out to County Line has become incredibly trashy.

Hemisphere's is in the large building at the back of the property. That back spot is now a furniture store, high end unique type furniture I guess you could call it. Not in competition with Mathis or all the others. It's been there since around 2001. Same owners as Hobby Lobby.

There use to be the hardware store there years back before Home Depot came to town. Mr. How I think it was called. I think it came in and went up against Big L back in the day.....

A good bit of that retail area has been vacant for years, since about the time SM went out. I remember going to SM when it was over on May Avenue, where Home Depot and Best Buy are located. Then they moved out to NWH. The Hallmark shop has managed to survive for years in that strip area north of there SM was located. A pretty large Subway just opened in a corner piece facing NWH. Maybe the owners are getting more agressive with trying to lease the property.

See links..
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20010907/ai_n10148339/

http://www.hemispheres-us.com/index.html

LuccaBrasi is correct... the story I heard was the owner of Hobby Lobby opened it so his wife would have somewhere to shop (at least this way he was able to keep the money in the family) LOL

Was in there once a few years back and the furniture reminded me of stuff you would find at the Biltmore Estates or the Governor's Mansion. Saw a small throw pillow that was $200. That type of stuff

...A pretty large Subway just opened in a corner piece facing NWH. Maybe the owners are getting more agressive with trying to lease the property....

The Subway was across the NW Expressway, so it's not really new, just moved.

I think the clerk at Hallmark said a college is going in there, probably a Phoenix University-type.