Cookeville Rural King Rumor Not True

Local residents hoping for a Rural King to open in Cookeville will have to wait a little longer.

Melinda Keifer is the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Cookeville. She said a social media post about the farm supply store coming to Cookeville isn’t true.

“In today’s world, typically, when a tenant is looking at a facility they’re going to reach out to the city or gather some information.” Keifer said. “I can tell you that we have not heard from Rural King. That’s not to say we sure wish that we would, so maybe this is my opportunity to invite them to give us a call.”

A post from the Cookeville Scene Facebook page stated that the business would occupy the old Kmart building. Keifer said the city continues to market the vacant building through a partnership with Retail Strategies.

“That partnership allows us to get information out about existing properties that are available, so that is happening across the country in the different shows they go to,” Keifer said. “You know, we’ve had couple different looks at it. It’s privately held, so there’s so many factors. The owner’s interest in selling has changed a little bit. I think they are a little bit more anxious to sell. They have a real estate broker involved with that, which we’ve spoken to on multiple occasions.”

Keifer said it’s her hope that the building can find a tenant by the end of this year. She did say said interest might slow down because of a looming presidential election.

“You just never know,” Keifer said. “With a national election, typically we see economic contact slowing down once primaries start. Lots of times, capital boards are sitting there waiting to see what’s going to happen with an election and the impact.”