Kohls makes its Sarpy County Move

[Sodak]

Kohl's to join Wal-Mart at new Papillion center

BY JOE DEJKA



WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Papillion's shopping scene is getting hot and Kohl's.

A developer announced Wednesday that Kohl's intends to build alongside Wal-Mart in the proposed Market Pointe shopping center near Papillion.

Kohl's, a nationwide retail chain with headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wis., has signed a contract to build an 88,000- square-foot store on the southeast corner of 72nd Street and Giles Road, said Owen Buckley, president of the R.H. Johnson Co.

Construction would begin in mid-2005, with an expected opening in spring 2006, he said.

"Kohl's is a very strong retailer with an outstanding track record of providing quality merchandise and service to today's active families," Buckley said.

Kohl's sells apparel, shoes, accessories and home products.

The store - the fourth Kohl's in the metropolitan area - would be at the south end of the 74-acre center, joining a 200,000-square- foot Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The two stores would account for nearly three-fifths of the 500,000 square feet of proposed retail space.

Chuck Zoog, vice president of leasing for R.H. Johnson Co., said the announcement will spur interest from restaurants and specialty stores.

"When you add this to the upscale design of the center and the Wal-Mart Supercenter, it's a recipe for success," Zoog said.

Papillion Mayor James Blinn said Kohl's will be "a quality addition" to the project.

"It's further indication that our market will support additional retail," Blinn said.

Blinn said Kohl's has agreed to comply with the same building design standards as Wal-Mart.

The shopping center has received preliminary approval from the Papillion City Council. Final approval is pending, with the final plat scheduled to go before the Papillion Planning Commission June 30.