Suburbs

It’s been quite a week in Bartlett.

At the end of the Bartlett meeting earlier this week, reporter Michael Waddell was present for a surprise announcement about Quail Ridge, which will be transformed into a residential development with a senior living component.

But there was something else that caught my attention.

Plans for a Hy-Vee are no longer after announcing less than two years ago it wanted to open in Shelby County. Instead, plans were approved for a mixed-use development with apartments, commercial and a restaurant.

Grocery stores are an interesting topic in the suburbs. Anytime one that’s not Kroger announces plans, people watch with anticipation.

“A grocery store that starts with P” as it’s sometimes called by Collierville leaders (yes, Publix) is one that’s often discussed dreamily in all six suburbs.

And when Publix decides to settle in Shelby County, I’m told they’ll open multiple locations in the market.

In the past, Clay Bailey, suburban editor, has repeated the point a former local leader raised. He says people like Publix because it’s something you only get on vacation when you’re generally happier.

I get his point, and I grew up going to visit my grandparents just north of West Palm Beach, Florida where there’s a Publix every few miles. However, I was raised in Germantown where there are grocery options galore. Options are nice and if you’re going to multiple stores, one day you might include a Publix in that mix. However, friends of mine long for the day they can get one of their sandwiches, a Pub sub, on a lunch break.

So for now, I’ll hope for a Publix announcement comes sooner rather than later. - Suburbs reporter Abigail Warren

We hope you enjoy reading the latest news from our suburban reporters. If you’re a Daily Memphian subscriber, we appreciate your support. If not, please sign up for unlimited access to all of our local news coverage.