MCEDP

As work finishes for the new Carolina Green Parkway, anticipation grows for the opening of several large retail businesses in Morganton Park South.

“It’s been a long project, and a great labor of love, but we are excited to get it open,” said Bill Mees, director of development at Midland Atlantic Properties.

The development, anchored by a Target, has been taking shape off U.S. 15-501 for several months. Retailer signs now adorn the front of the building — each big enough to see from the road.

The four-lane Carolina Green Parkway connects Morganton Road with U.S. 15-501. Final touches have happened in the last few weeks, including adding traffic signals at either end. The signals were blinking last week at the Partner Circle intersection with U.S. 15-501.

Mees said the road is scheduled to be “fully operational” by March — ahead of the earliest opening dates.

Golf Galaxy has announced its opening for Friday, March 8. Mees said DICK’S Sporting Goods, which is relocating from Aberdeen, should be opening around the same time. It’s been long planned for these stores to open before the 124th U.S. Open comes to Pinehurst in June.

Other retailers in the development are preparing for later openings. Mees said HomeGoods and Five Below are likely to open at the end of March and Half Moon Outfitters in early summer. He said the 147,000-square-foot Target remains on schedule for an opening in October.

Tenants have been confirmed for a smaller block of stores on the same parcel, estimated to open by the end of the year. It includes The Habit Burger, The Chicken Salad Chick, Goodberry’s Frozen Custard, Noire Nail Bar and Bibibop. The Habit Burger would feature a drive-through.

Work got underway in late 2022 for Morganton Park South. Southern Pines approved the park’s nearly 100-acre conceptual development plan in 2021. It has been approved for three phases, including the shopping complex, apartments and large box store.

Work is also underway on a 269-unit apartment complex with typical amenities like a clubhouse and pool. It was also approved next to the shopping center in July 2022. The apartments, named Overlook at Pineridge, would sit on over 13 acres next to the Morganton soccer fields.

Also approved were a BJ’s Wholesale Club, adjoining fuel station and Starbucks. These would be located across the Carolina Green Parkway from the shopping center. Mees expects construction on that project wrapping up in 2025, including the extension of Southern Road from Brucewood Road.

(Article by Ana Risano, The Pilot)