Steve Baisden, spokesman for the Cleveland-based company, said OfficeMax moves into a city when it determines the area has a high concentration of small businesses and people who work out of their homes. OfficeMax will open next year and employ 35-40 people. To Top Sales force Retail development was slow but steady during much of the 1990s, and the decade is preparing to finish with a flourish. Pam Williams, a public relations representative from Goody's Family Clothing Inc. headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., said Belk's Department Store, which is leasing its space at Gleason Mall to Goody's, will take back the space shortly after Christmas and begin renovations. The local Sears store was named tops in its division by the company earlier this year.
Drugstores are also on the move in the market.
Eckerd Drugs on First Street is closing but will move to a new store at Baya Avenue and First Street that is under construction. Officials say the move is part of a company-wide strategy of locating in separate buildings instead of strip centers. Developers aren't sure who will take over the space next to Farmer's Furniture. Larry Lee, a building inspector for Lake City, said a property owner on U.S. 90 has been talking with officials from Walgreen's, and land has been cleared at Branford Highway. However, the property owners said they can't comment.