Linda Kirk, who has her own grocery shopping service, showed up in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday to be first in line for the opening of the new Publix store on Broad Street in Chattanooga.
"I have a customer that needed something," said Kirk, who was among about 100 shoppers, officials and others who turned out for the 7 a.m. opening of the 32,500-square-foot store.
The supermarket's opening at 3535 Broad St. marks the culmination of a sometimes controversial, yearslong effort over the store's appearance and how it sits on the site.
Former City Councilman Erskine Oglesby, who worked with the neighborhood for the project, said community input made the store compatible with the South Broad District Plan.
He said the store, which employs about 135 people, brings "a good quality product" to the neighborhood.
"This continues the economic development of the South Broad area," he said.
Jim Johnson, founder of Chattanoogans for Responsible Development, said that "more choices is always a good thing."
He termed the store "a good example of what happens when there's collaboration."
"It's a lot better than it could have been," Johnson said.
George Chase of Alliance Realty Services of Atlanta first sought a zoning change and three variances for the store's initial plan. A number of people indicated they wanted the developer to move at least some of the store up against Broad for a more urban look, along with other changes to the proposal.
In November 2019, the city's Board of Zoning Appeals initially refused the developer's plan for the store by a 5-4 vote. In December, the panel voted to re-hear the case. A compromise was later reached with the city that helped move the project ahead.
City Councilman Darrin Ledford said he's excited to see that shoppers in the area have another option.
"People will benefit from this store," he said.
(READ MORE: South Broad District proposal seen as 'new frontier' for Chattanooga)
Ann Weeks, president-emeritus of the South Broad Redevelopment Group, said she believes the store will be "an economic boon for the neighborhood."
"It's a rising tide that floats all boats," she said.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said the project was at times controversial, but he noted that it brings more competition to the area.
"Food City does a great job," he said about that company's nearby store in St. Elmo. "Competition is great."
Cindy Messinger, who with husband Jeff had operated the former Mt. Vernon Restaurant on the property for many years before closing the eatery at the end of 2017, said it was Publix officials' idea to name the shopping center Mount Vernon Point.
"I can't tell you how many Facebook messages we've had," she said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.