Discount Tire backs out of Hollywood Video redevelopment in Cottage Grove

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A national tire chain has scrapped its plans to occupy a vacant Cottage Grove retail space, the city’s lead economic development official has said.

Discount Tire withdrew its application in recent months to remodel an empty former Hollywood Video, said Danette Parr, Cottage Grove economic development director. In March, the company had submitted plans to remodel the building located at the busy corner of 80th Street and East Point Douglas Road in the city’s Gateway North commercial area.

Parr said recently the building’s owners have been in discussions with other possible tenants.

City officials have tried to generate interest among developers in the empty retail property since the former video rental store closed in 2010. It occupies a retail area hit hard by closures since the economy faltered in 2008; a Home Depot, a Cottage Grove Athletic Association-run bingo hall and retailer In Concert have all closed shop since then. A planned redevelopment that will add three retailers with an LA Fitness as anchor is under way.

Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey has said the city and the building’s owners had been in talks with representatives of a pharmacy chain and a restaurant before Discount Tire stepped forward early this year.

Discount Tire, headquartered in Arizona, has more than 800 tire retailers around the country, including 25 in Minnesota. An Inver Grove Heights location is currently the closest Discount Tire to Cottage Grove.

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