Economic growth continues in Brookhaven as new businesses are opening their doors and others are preparing to open.

     Activity has been ongoing on both Brookway Boulevard and in downtown.

     On Brookway Boulevard, the Brookhaven Plaza shopping center continues to be busy as clothing retailer Factory Connection opened recently and Los Parrilleros Mexican Restaurant and Hibbett Sports are both working to open soon. Additional businesses should be on the way as developers have told current tenants the shopping center should be full by the end of the year.

     Also on Brookway Boulevard, a Holiday Inn hotel is being built next to Interstate 55. Construction has resumed after a long delay.

     Meanwhile on Brookhaven Street, Nationwide Insurance recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its opening.

     Brookhaven/Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cliff Brumfield said the new businesses are a good sign for the area.

     “The shopping center on the boulevard has been empty for a long time,” he said. “It’s a good sign seeing it filled. It’s also a good sign seeing others fill up around town.

     “We have not seen that much activity over the past few years due to the economic downturn,” he continued, “but with the economy appearing to pick up it’s a welcome sign.”

     Brumfield said work is being done to fill the rest of the center, but no plans have been announced yet.

     “We’re aware of discussions of potential new tenants for the center, but nothing more than that yet,” he said. “It’s quite exciting that the center is picking up momentum and filling up this quickly. It bodes well for the area.”

     Factory Connection moved from its location on Schem Avenue to Brookhaven Plaza and opened June 14.

     Store Manager Dana Alexander said the move was about location.

     “The traffic flow (on Brookway Boulevard) is great,” she said. “We’re expecting that to help increase our sales.”

     Alexander said their former location was good, but they wanted to move to a different spot after five years there.

     Those who enjoy Mexican food will like having a new option in Los Parrilleros. Brookhavenites may be familiar with the business as they have locations in Tylertown, Pearl and Hazlehurst.

     District Manager Antonio Zarate said the restaurant will open soon. Preparations have been under way since late March.

     “We like the area,” said Zarate. “We have many customers from Brookhaven that come to our Hazlehurst location to eat.”

     Zarate said they aim to have a good atmosphere, quality food and great service.”

     Hibbett Sports Assistant Manager Deatra Howard said they plan to move from their current location just east of Highway 51 on Brookway Boulevard in late July to Brookhaven Plaza in order to have additional space.

     “We’ll triple our size from 3,000 square feet to around 9,000,” Howard said. “It will allow us to carry a larger variety of products for our customers.”

     In downtown, New York Life Insurance and Allred Financial Group LLC. owner Duane Allred said the move from Railroad Avenue across the railroad tracks to South Whitworth Street is about gaining space.

     “Our agency has grown over the years and we wanted to grow as our client base has grown,” said Allred. “We’re just out of room here. In our new location, we’ll have 2,000 more square feet to work with.”

     The business started renovations on Whitworth Avenue in late March and Allred said they should be moved in by August 1.

     Paul Jackson and Son is handling construction and Dr. Kim Sessums is in control of interior design.

     Some people may see businesses moving as not being exactly what they want, but Brumfield it is not a bad thing.

     “Retailers relocating leaves buildings open for new occupants, which hopefully will bring in new business that make our area more attractive for not only local shoppers but those from out of town to come in,” he said.

     Brumfield added that diversity among retailers is great for locals.

     “We hope to see our existing retailers to be diverse and grow, which makes our area more attractive for shoppers from out of town and the local area,” he said. “It makes our citizens less likely to shop in another area, which helps our tax base. That’s vital for the continued economic success of the area.”