Albemarle’s economic development department has been collaborating with Retail Strategies, an Alabama-based marketing retail firm that works with towns across the country, to attract new businesses to the city.

Though he cannot get into specifics about the current retail projects, because many are still ongoing, Albemarle Economic Development Director Keith Tunnell disclosed in a recent report to the city council a number of potential businesses that could be moving into the city in the near future.

The potential businesses include:

• A regional breakfast restaurant and a national coffee chain, which would both take space in the old Sagebrush property;
• A national cell phone company, which has already signed a lease to take space in Olive Place;
• Two national quick-service restaurants;
• A national men’s salon;
• A dental service organization;
• A national farm/agricultural supply store;
• A national sporting goods user.

Retail Strategies has focused on attracting new businesses to the city’s main retail corridors, which include N.C. Highway 24-27, U.S. Highway 52 and downtown. The firm has already helped recruit several businesses to the city including Dickey’s BBQ, East Coast Wings and Grill and Chick-fil-A.