Walgreen’s begins construction in Seymour

The ink has dried, the plans are set and demolition of the old video store has begun in order to make way for the new 13,650 square foot Walgreen’s. The building is located next to the Exxon at the corner of Chapman Highway and Highway 411. “It’s been a long road to hoe,” stated Chester Carbaugh, project architect for M & M Development Co., Inc. the company dealing with Walgreen’s on this project. “First, we had to acquire the right piece of land and then make the necessary additional acquisition for a larger right of way onto Hwy. 411.” According to Carbaugh, Walgreen’s has been looking at the Seymour market for two and a half years and finally felt the time was right. Carbaugh said, “Maybe we could have had it happen six months sooner if we had shown them (Walgreen’s representatives) the Seymour Herald.” Walgreen’s representatives were impressed with the development of the community. The Seymour Herald was credited for providing development coverage, which could have convinced Walgreen’s to move into the Seymour area six months sooner. They also felt confident that they had a strong advertising outlet with the paper. M & M Development Co., Inc. has had a relationship with Walgreen’s for nearly 20 years and is the same company, which recently built the new Walgreen’s in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. The construction contract has been awarded to Richardson Turner Construction Co. in Knoxville. The project is scheduled to be complete within 150 days. An additional 30 days will be required to supply the building with inventory, signs etc.