According to multiple news agencies, the planned Rural King store at 299 Main Street in Elmira, the former Tops Supermarket, is moving forward.

City officials, along with the Chemung County IDA, met last night to go over planned renovations at the store.

The store's opening was announced in February, and it will be the first Rural King location in New York State. The retailer supplies hardware, animal feed, tools, and much more. It has been described by many as "Tractor Supply on steroids."

In addition to jobs, the Rural King store is expected to be a badly needed shot in the arm for the city of Elmira. Company representatives say that the average Rural King store brings people in from more than thirty miles away.

No opening date has been set for the proposed location, however there is an online listing seeking a store manager.

Everything I have heard about this store from people who have been to one is the same thing: It's an amazing place.

A lot of what I see from the Elmira Peanut gallery is, of course, negative.

As for me, I can't wait. It's closer to where I work and looking at their flyer, their prices are very competitive.

I had to google it because I never of them but Dave has and he's kind of excited about this.

3 hours ago, Chris said:

A lot of what I see from the Elmira Peanut gallery is, of course, negative.

They crack me up. "Why don't they put this in there or that in there?" These folks have no concept of private property and owners who can do what they want with their own stuff. They seem to think the city or county decides. Of course they have a hand in approvals but that's about it. They will never be happy with anything that goes in anywhere.

29 minutes ago, KarenK said:

I had to google it because I never of them but Dave has and he's kind of excited about this.

I’ve never heard of this Store but Hubby Sid he’ll definitely check it out.

2 hours ago, KarenK said:

They crack me up. "Why don't they put this in there or that in there?" These folks have no concept of private property and owners who can do what they want with their own stuff. They seem to think the city or county decides. Of course they have a hand in approvals but that's about it. They will never be happy with anything that goes in anywhere.

No kidding. And it’s not like the executives in charge of store location just randomly picked that location. Especially for the very first store in our state. They see the proximity to PA, th easy access off of Route 14/ Clemens Center Parkway, as well as the centralized location for Chemung County.

But some keyboard expert on Facebook knows what’s better for the company than thy do. 🙄

I’m pretty excited about it and what it could do for the surrounding area.

I wish they would stop crying about the Amazon distribution center too. That property is zoned for exactly that type of purpose.

Sperr Park will not be affected the way people let on, and there is more than one entrance to that park and that's the only legit complaint I've actually heard. Mostly its because of low wages, the way they treat employees, PILOT agreements (that they think means no taxes ever) and similar complaints that have absolutely nothing to do with them at all and are not based on any factual info, just "what they heard"

Heard all the same things when they started putting business back into the Holding Point.

I for one think Amazon will be a good thing for the area. Just my opinion but low wages is certainly better than no wages if you are unemployed.

17 minutes ago, KarenK said:

I wish they would stop crying about the Amazon distribution center too. That property is zoned for exactly that type of purpose.

Sperr Park will not be affected the way people let on, and there is more than one entrance to that park and that's the only legit complaint I've actually heard. Mostly its because of low wages, the way they treat employees, PILOT agreements (that they think means no taxes ever) and similar complaints that have absolutely nothing to do with them at all and are not based on any factual info, just "what they heard"

Heard all the same things when they started putting business back into the Holding Point.

I for one think Amazon will be a good thing for the area. Just my opinion but low wages is certainly better than no wages if you are unemployed.

I agree...As I mentioned when the Amazon proposal was first announced in December.

Unlike the proposed truck plaza (which I was opposed to), I think an Amazon warehouse would be much better for that location. 

Unlike the constant 24/7 public (random, unmonitored, shady elements, etc) traffic of a Truck Plaza, this would be controlled access for employees and deliveries....with any “heavy” traffic mostly limited to shift changes and delivery drivers heading out for the day. 

And even if it's not high-wage manufacturing....I'd have to believe a much larger number of jobs would be permanent, full-time opportunities that offer benefits...as opposed to part-time jobs at the truck plaza and its McDonalds.

I drive by there a couple times a day and there appears to be some activity. Just a few vehicles, but it’s progress!

There's been a whole lot of activity there over the past week or so. Looks to me like they're up on the roof working on the HVAC system. Yesterday there was a regular convoy of Custom Mix Concrete trucks lined up in the lot and more coming.

You can follow the new store on Facebook here for updates and more.

According to WETM, the store will have a grand opening event on September 25th!

Looks like they’re gonna do a soft opening Sept. 17th in addition to the grand opening on the 25th.

They've got the signage up on the front of the store and it looks pretty awesome. I couldn't help but smile, not only because it's gonna open soon but because that building has sat empty for so long. It's a nice change of pace.

They're making full use of that parking lot as well I see, but I fear they're going to have some serious issues with vandalism and theft unless they find a way to secure that lot.

Look what showed up in my Morning Times:

I hope this is a regular thing!