FLINT, MI – For the past few years, Barton residents driving down South Center Road have been greeted with an eyesore.
The former party store on the southwest corner of Center and Lippincott streets is vacant, with graffiti etched on one wall.
“I'm glad they're finally doing something with this,” said Altura Stallings, a Burton resident and former Flint rapper. “I wish there was another convenience store here.”
The building will be transformed into a new Marathon gas station and convenience store.
A site plan application for work on the building, located at 2014 S. Center Road, was filed by real estate developer Vito Pampalona.
Vacant buildings in Burton are nothing new in recent years, but some changes are occurring.
Large chain stores and small, family-run businesses are expanding into the city.
Ross Dress for Less recently opened at 4190 E. Court St. in the former Staples, one of the outbuildings at Cortland Center Mall.
Founded in 1982, Ross Dress for Less sells “extraordinary savings,” according to the company's website, and has in-store window displays, mannequins, and It is said that there are no luxurious fixtures or decorations.
Crafts retailer Michael's will soon open in the Courtyard Shopping Center on the north side of East Court Street, across from Ross.
The new Michaels store is scheduled to open in May next to Big Lots and Media Reload in a shopping center that includes Home Depot, Empire Wok, Sally Beauty Supply and the Greater Flint Scout Shop.
Harbor Freight is also expected to open soon in the city.
Related: Harbor Freight opens new location in Burton
The California-based hardware store chain also announced a store in the Courtyard Shopping Center, opening in late spring or early summer in the former VG's Grocery, which closed more than a decade ago.
The expansion of three major companies into brick-and-mortar stores is a sign of things to come, said Amber Abbey, Burton's DPW deputy director for zoning.
“In recent years, we've seen an increase in the occupation of empty spaces. I think this is a turnaround from COVID,” she told MLive-The Flint Journal. “We have vacant space, which is ideal for businesses looking to fill existing businesses rather than building new ones. There aren't a lot of vacant properties for new construction like you see in Davison.”
Last month, Burton's culinary scene received a new addition with the opening of Saber Street Tacos, a Mexican restaurant that promises authentic flavors reminiscent of the streets of Jalisco.
Sabor is located at 4021 E. Atherton Road, formerly the location of El Poco Loco, a taco restaurant that closed last year.
Alexander Kite and Gregory Kite, 4145 Davison Road, opened last summer after Brothers Brunch House, formerly known as Brian's Restaurant, was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reopened under the ownership of Kite.
Also: Longtime family-owned restaurant plans to reopen in Burton
Recent site plans show a new market, La Bodeguita Market LLC, looking to open a store at 4180 Davison Road.
CubeSmart, a Pennsylvania-based self-storage company focused on owning, operating, acquiring and developing self-storage facilities, opened last year on North Belsay Road in a former Kmart store.
Part of the city's development push included the creation of the Barton Economic Development Commission in 2023 by City Councilman Steve Hefner to help attract more businesses.
The committee hired Retail Strategies, a national firm focused on retail staffing. Although the company has not yet officially cooperated in attracting stores, it is expected that they will do so in the near future, which will further spur the current boom.
The addition of businesses also means an increase in city tax bills, Hefner said.
“The local business tax base is one of the most important aspects of our tax base,” said Hefner, who served on the City Council for 16 years. “We make a lot of money out of it.”
Councilman Vaughn Smith said the restoration of Davison Road and the General Motors plant was done to attract business.
read more: GM announces $100 million investment in Burton facility to improve safety and growth potential
The 1.1 million square foot Burton facility opened in July 2019 and the $65 million warehouse employs more than 1,200 hourly and salaried workers.
He also praised Northgate, housed in the former Lowe's building on East Court Street, for bringing new life and hundreds of jobs after signing a deal with Ford Motor Company in 2021.
The 421,000-square-foot facility at 4137 Davison Road will serve as Ford's distribution center.
“Businesses are recognizing that,” said Smith, who also serves as president of the Burton Chamber of Commerce. “There are a lot of different things coming together that will help businesses get into it.”
Hefner said the city has been in a difficult situation for many years, but is starting to get back on its feet.
“We are excited to welcome more companies to Burton,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for us to grow the city in a positive way.”
