ROSWELL, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — When the Kohl’s off Holcomb Bridge Road closed in June 2016, nobody expected it to take 10 years to find another tenant.
But the skeleton of the big-box store, once slated to be a pickleball facility before plans fell through, has now been raised from the dead by a nearby church.
“This is a place where people came to shop for clothes,” said Eagles Nest Church Pastor Lee Jenkins. “Now, it’s a place where people can take care of their souls.”
Jenkins has been the pastor at Eagles Nest Church for 14 years. He says the church started with just 20 members. Now, it has close to 4,000.
Until this week, services were held directly across the street at Roswell Centennial High School.
“It was empty. It was dead,” Jenkins said of the property.
But that’s no longer the case. Eagles Nest is putting the finishing touches on a $28 million redevelopment of the former big-box store.
“We totally renovated everything,” Jenkins said. “It was just a big box.”
It can now seat 1,000 people for a sermon, but Jenkins has his eyes on more than just saving the souls of East Roswell. He plans on using the building for conventions, weddings and receptions.
“We don’t want to use this just for church,” Jenkins said. “We want to invite the community in to enjoy this asset.”
The City of Roswell couldn’t be happier.
“Those kinds of opportunities and the size of this space are really needed here in Roswell,” said Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux.
It makes business sense. Out with an empty lot and in with something that draws people to nearby businesses.
“I think it will be one of those we will see with what I call a ‘halo effect’ out,” Robichaux said.
There’s more to come. With space to spare, Jenkins wants to bring in other businesses onto the property.
“This is just phase one of this 16-acre property,” Jenkins said.
**See original article on Atlanta News First by clicking here. **
By Joshua Skinner.
