MOUNT CARMEL -- A building at the corner of South Oak and Fourth Streets in Mount Carmel used to be a Dollar General. But in a few weeks it will be known as "The Shops on the Corner."
The building has space for 12 shops. The project is being organized by Mount Carmel Downtown, a non-profit group.
"We are really surprised at the amount of feedback we've gotten already from it," Ed Fegley said.
Fegley is president of the non-profit group. He says the building's owner plans to lease the space for an inexpensive price, so shops will only pay between $25 and $50 rent a month. Fegley says Mount Carmel Downtown held fundraisers in anticipation of this and says it's the perfect opportunity for people to start their businesses.
"Our goal is just to bring people downtown. We want to get people to come downtown and realize the importance of having a downtown as opposed to your big box stores," Fegley said.
Charlie Muldowney of Mount Carmel says he will definitely check out the new shops.
"We need something here for people to come and shop and I think that would be a great help for Oak Street," Muldowney said.
Many people who work at the stores on Oak Street agree that The Shops on the Corner will be good for downtown Mount Carmel.
"Anything that would bring traffic down to Oak Street would be a positive and a good thing," Jose Gonzalo said.
Gonzalo is the Pharmacy Manager at Community Pharmacy, across the street from the shops.
"Hopefully they won't have to only go out of town to the big box stores or the chain stores. There will be something for them downtown and that is always going to be a positive for Mount Carmel," Gonzalo said.
The opening date is scheduled for Saturday May 23. Organizers say there is still space to rent and interested merchants are invited to a public meeting this Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the building.