Commercial redevelopment to improve Southgate's 'gateway'

First impressions can make or break everything – a person, a city, a band, artists, the mailman. It's key to a lot of situations. So, when you driving into Southgate on Allen Road you don't want to see an empty 1960s strip mall. That's a bad first impression.

However, the city and developers are moving to change that.

"It's a gateway to Southgate," Gerald Brody, president of Brody Homes, who has, along with his partners, acquired the plot that once held a Farmer Jack on the corner of Allen and Goddard. "The city wants to change this first impression, so they've helped us expedite the process. Southgate has been wonderful. I have to commend them."

Brody and partners acquired the project in 2007 and they knew right away what they wanted to do.

"A mile away a farm market had closed down a number of years ago," Brody said. "It had fresh produce and meats. Since then, this area has really lacked this type of store."

So, Brody is bringing in Trentwood Farm Market, owned by Pat Hughes. (Hughes also owns Dearborn Farm Market.) It's a specialty market of sorts – slinging fresh produce, meats, and deli items.

The market will settle into the bulk of the development, calling home an 18,000 square-foot  space. Additionally, Trentwood Farm Market is expected to bring in about 60 jobs, possibly going up to 100.

Brody says he plans to market the remaining space, about 10,000 square-feet, to select retail once the market moves in and anchors the project. He expects to invest $2.5 million into Southgate's northern gateway.

Source: Gerald Brody, president of Brody Homes
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.