By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
February 8, 2012

The plan to construct a Sun Fresh Market at Truman Road and Hardesty isn’t looking so sunny.

Originally, Chas. Ball Market of Missouri, Inc. proposed a plan to redevelop 5.2 acres at the intersection to replace the Thriftway and El Molino Bar & Grill.

Expected to create at least 100 jobs, the plan included a 52,650-square foot grocery store, complete with a sit-down deli and salad bar.

Now, the Economic Development Corporation is saying the deal fell through, said David Biersmith, Director of the Truman Road Corridor Association.

East Patrol Community Interaction Officer Jason Cooley sits on the city’s Redevelopment Review Committee and said Chas. Ball faced several obstacles with the site.

Years ago, a gas station resided at the site, which raised several environmental concerns. In addition, there were sewer issues, Cooley said.

“Where do we put the water? That was a big issue (due to the large-scale project),” he said. “They would have to do sewer improvements I think all the way down the hill.”

Leveling the land would have required a retaining wall at least 30-feet tall, which raised concerns among the surrounding neighborhood, he said.

“In a residential area, that’s kind of an eyesore,” Cooley said.

When Northeast News contacted John Ball of Chas. Ball, he replied via email that, “We are not making any comments at this time about any project or possible project.”

However, Northeast News also contacted George Thomas, group sales and development manager at Associated Wholesale Grocers, who’s worked with Chas. Ball on the project.

“The only thing I’d be at liberty to say is it’s being re-evaluated. It’s (project) under consideration and being re-evaluated,” Thomas said.

That re-evaluation could include a grocery store other than Sun Fresh, he said.

As for now, Thriftway closed its doors months ago and rehabbing the building would require work.

Toward the end of December, thieves stole an unknown amount of copper from the compressor room, copper from six rooftop compressors and several air conditioner units. Estimated loss is $90,000, Cooley said.

“A lot of those people that shopped at Thriftway lived in that neighborhood,” Biersmith said.

Without personal vehicles, a majority of area residents walked to the grocery store and the trek to Sav-A-Lot is too far, he said.

“Thriftway served a really big purpose,” Biersmith said.