Growth
Murfreesboro, TN - Rapid Growth Has Caused a Retail Explosion
Over the past few years, Murfreesboro has grown at a pace that is over five times the national average, and for good reason - quality of life. The county seat of Rutherford County, Murfreesboro is located at the geographic center of Tennessee, approximately 35 miles southeast of Nashville. With a population of 100,575, it is the sixth largest and one of the fastest growing cities in the state with a vibrant and rapidly expanding retail trade base.
Rutherford County's retail trade base is made up of over 331,000 people. At its center, Murfreesboro has developed into a retail destination attracting shoppers from a 10-county region. Part of the reason for this phenomenal growth is the close location to major Interstates - Interstate 24 runs directly through the city and Interstates 65 and 40 are just a few minutes away.
The Avenue Murfreesboro is an 808,000-square-foot open-air retail center in Murfreesboro. Opened in fall of 2007, the development has capacity for 110 retailers and restaurants. "It is the eighth, and largest, Avenue project since introducing the concept in 1998, and The Avenue Murfreesboro should serve as a model for future large-scale Avenues with its wide ranging merchandising offerings," said Joel Murphy, president of Cousins' Retail Division.
Some of the retailers in The Avenue are Ann Taylor Loft, Barnes & Noble, Belk, Chico's, Jos. A Bank, New York & Company, Talbots, Ulta. White House/Black Market. Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and Cost Plus World Market. Other retailers include: Aveda, Carters, Champs Sports, Lane Bryant, Limited Too, Off Broadway, Osh Kosh B'Gosh and the project's first restaurants, Longhorn Steakhouse, Mimi's Cafe and Romano's Macaroni Grill.
Stones River Mall is the regional mall for this area. It is anchored by Sears, J. C. Penney, Dillard's and Goody's Family Clothing. Other big box tenants in the area include Target, Lowe's, T.J. Maxx, two Wal-Mart Supercenters, Home Depot, Office Max, Kohl's, Staples, Old Navy, PetsMart, and Toy's "R " Us.
A retail shopping center called "The Oaks " is anchored by Bed, Bath & Beyond, Marshall 's, Ashley Furniture, Ross Dress for Less, H. H. Gregg, and Steinmart. This 32-acre development holds more than 250,000 square feet of retail space and is within an 800-acre tract of private and city-owned property called the Gateway, a commercial and residential development near a new Interstate 24 interchange.
In addition to residential growth, the city has experienced considerable commercial and industrial development during the 1990s. This non-residential development is expected to continue for the next several years, particularly commercial growth, to serve the needs of a growing population.
To round out these tremendous opportunities, a number of colleges and universities are located in and around the city. Middle Tennessee State University, with nearly 22,000 students, and the Tennessee Technology Center are located in Murfreesboro. Motlow State Community College, Vanderbilt University, David Lipscomb University and others are just a few minutes away.
All of this makes Murfreesboro one of the best cities in the U.S. Why not see for yourself?