TULSA, Okla. — The city of McAlester is about to get a major economic shot in the arm when it opens its largest shopping center this spring.

FOX23 spent time talking Kirk Ridenour, the Economic Development Director for the city of McAlester on Friday about the plans for the 200,000 square foot shopping center that’s been seven years in the making.

The $30 million dollar development project is being undertaken by developer Burk Collins and Company, out of Hurst, Texas.

The first anchor tenants to sign leases include Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, and Ross.

Other retailers soon followed, including Rack Room Shoes, Five Below, Burke’s Outlet.

Additional retailers moving onto outparcels in the shopping center include Starbuck’s, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King along with a T-Mobile Store and a Tropical Smoothie Café.

The Shops at McAlester has also attracted an Old Navy which has yet to be built.

The city of McAlester and Pittsburgh County worked out a Tax Increment Financing Agreement, or TIF with Burk Collins and Company to build and develop the shopping center.

In return, the developer will be able to collect the city and the county’s portions of the sales tax revenue from the retailers for five years, or until Collins recoups $5.5 million dollars.

After that, the city expects the shopping center will generate $2 million dollars a year in sales tax revenue for the city and $750,000 for the county.

Ridenour says it’s a great deal:

“He has to make all of these improvements up front,” he said, “we’re out no dollars, we’re out no investment, and then he starts to recoup his investment once these stores start generating.”

Hobby Lobby is the first anchor tenant expected to open its doors to the public on April 4th.

The other retailers are expected to open their doors in the months to follow.

McAlester’s newest shopping center could also end up benefitting existing businesses.

Steak and Shake co-owner Kyle Dusenberry is going to need a few more hired hands to man the grill at his store which overlooks the new Shops at McAlester.

“Right now what we’re trying to do is trying to hire and just build up some more personnel,” Dusenberry said, “so we’re all ready for that increase in traffic flow.”

Little did he and his dad know, when they purchased the Steak & Shake store nine years ago, they would end up right next to the city’s largest shopping center.

“The road comes right there Steak and Shake,” Dusenberry noted, “so you’ve got to see me either leaving or coming in.”

Dusenberry isn’t the only one excited about the new shopping center.

“I don’t think there’s enough words to explain it,” Brandi Seawright explained,” “because we haven’t had any of this, so everyone is just tremendously excited and the wait its taking it’s like the closer it gets to some of them with their potential dates, it’s getting more exciting.”

Brandi Seawright, enjoying a lunch date with her husband Carl, says she has to drive to Allen, Texas or Tulsa or Oklahoma City to go clothes shopping.

When asked about what stores she’s looking forward to the most, she quickly listed off several including Starbucks, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and Ross.

The 200,000 square foot parcel at U.S. 69 and 14th street in McAlester will boast major retailers and restaurant, including a Chick-Fil-A and an Old Navy.

City Manager Peter Stasiak believes the new shopping center will also be a boon to local businesses.

“What we hope to experience is more activity in our downtown area,” he said, “where we have more of the boutique type shops, and also to the other restaurants in the area, and just be able to experience what McAlester has to offer.”

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