What's Happening in Lebanon, OH…

The Rivers Crossing shopping center in South Lebanon is welcoming four new tenants, who plan to have their stores by the end of the year.

Phase II of the center, which is being developed by Midland Atlantic and is anchored by Target, is underway now. The new construction, which comprises 35,000 square feet at a cost of $10 million, has already attracted Starbucks, Dollar Tree, PetSmart, and Famous Footwear.

The latter three stores are slated to go into retail spaces between Target and Kohl's, while Starbucks will occupy an outbuilding that spans 6,300 square feet. The coffee giant's building has room enough for two additional retailers.

According to Bill Mees, Midland Atlantic's development manager, construction is slated to be finished in August, at which point Starbucks will take over and finish its space in time to open this year. Construction on the other three stores is also set for a fall completion. Mees notes that as the economy improves, new developments are rising throughout the area, driven by consumer interest.

Developments like this often require marketing outreach. Center management might consider working with a banner printing company to create flags for the stores' opening celebrations, or they could work with brochure printers to develop a mailer for area residents, listing the stores and their operating hours, and including a map of the center.