SEBASTIAN – We love news tips and it’s always a challenge to investigate them. We work overtime to bring you accurate information, especially when it comes to rumors around town.
There have been several rumors going around Sebastian that Starbucks, T.J. Maxx, ALDI’s, and the Tractor Supply Company are building in our area soon.
Let’s talk about the rumors.
Tractor Supply Company is building a store off CR-512 near the RaceTrac by I-95.
“I have reviewed the potential store locations for 2019, and it appears the closest TSC that is currently scheduled to open near Sebastian will be in Sanford, FL. Sanford is scheduled to open in early Fall of 2019,” Drew Casteel, Store Marketing Specialist for Tractor Supply Company, told Sebastian Daily.
So that rules out Fellsmere and Sebastian on hopes of getting this store. The small local shops don’t have to worry about this happening.
The next rumor is interesting and involves the Shady Rest Mobile Home Park in Sebastian next to Home Depot on U.S. Highway 1.
The property owners want to move all the mobile homes off the property to make room for a new shopping plaza that will include a Starbucks, T.J. Maxx, and an ALDI’s.
We can’t speak about the property because people still live there and part of it is for sale. There’s also no evidence that this rumor is true.
However, the stores don’t have much to say.
Starbucks says they have no plans to build a franchise in Sebastian. There are stores in Palm Bay and Vero Beach.
“At this time, Starbucks is not opening a store in Sebastian,” a spokesperson said.
T.J. Maxx already has stores in neighboring Melbourne and Vero Beach.
“T.J.Maxx has not announced a new store for Sebastian, Florida,” Katie MacLeod, T.J. Maxx Public Relations, told Sebastian Daily.
ALDI’s is growing fast, and they are expanding all over Florida. But, they had this to say about Sebastian.
“We’re excited to continue growing in the Treasure Coast area including our newest store location in Ft. Pierce, FL. At this time, we don’t have plans of a Sebastian store to share, but we will be sure to stay in touch if any new plans develop,” Chris Hewitt, ALDI vice president, told Sebastian Daily.
Although these stores say there are no plans at this time, it still leaves the unanswered question on what the property will become. There is evidence that they are trying to get all mobile homes off the property, as they have already gotten rid of a lot of the mobile homes.
Will Shady Rest Mobile Park in Sebastian soon become “Shady Rest Shopping Plaza?” Only time will tell.
