News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Construction will begin next month on a new Home Depot and Target at the corner of Willow Avenue and Interstate 40, the city announced Monday.
Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the shopping center, called the Willows, will bring in millions of dollars for the city through sales tax revenue.
“We can just turn around and reinvest that and make Cookeville an even better place,” Wheaton said. “So that is just huge, I mean that’s what we’re looking for is those big companies that can come in and invest and provide opportunities, jobs, other services.”
Wheaton said the shopping center will bring in other retail businesses and restaurants along with the two major stores. Wheaton said concrete pads should be finished by August. The center scheduled to open fall or winter of 2026.
“Excitement is the only word I can think of right now, and gratitude I’ll say,” Wheaton said. “Again, this was not just one person doing this job. This was so many people who have been working so hard on this and to see the teamwork that comes together from the city, from the county, from the developers, from the state, this is all happening because all of us have the same goal and we want to have great things coming to Cookeville.”
Wheaton said the developer’s interest in the city is a testament to the strength of Cookeville’s local economy.
“These are people who see Cookeville as a place where businesses can thrive both big and small, local and national,” Wheaton said. “And so it’s really an honor to be a part of leading a city where we can, we can support businesses like this and again offer opportunities and services to our citizens.”
Wheaton said the city waited to share any details until the plans were made official, but it is very exciting to get to be the one to make the announcement. Wheaton said there are still lots of moving parts to the project, but the city will do everything it can to transition the businesses into the city smoothly.
“I moved to Cookeville in 2013 and one thing I’ve always heard is we want a Target and then they started saying we want a Home Depot,” Wheaton said. “And I’m just so excited that we can finally say ‘hey, it’s here, it’s coming.’”
