Where two Baton Rouge businesses once stood, construction of a corporate company is set to begin.
The Noah’s Quality Pets and Supplies location at the corner of Highland Road and Lee Drive was forced to close its doors Dec. 31, 2003.
Operation of this site began in 1999, but since Eckerd agreed to pay the landlord more money, Noah’s was evicted, said Matt Parsons, the general manager of Noah’s.
Bailey’s Chicken Fingers was in operation next door to Noah’s until it went out of business Aug. 30, 2002, according to the City of Baton Rouge Occupational License provided by the city-parish finance office.
Because of the closing on Highland, University students are now coming to the pet store’s Jefferson location, he said.
Parsons said they do not offer discounts to every student who comes into the store. He said they put coupons inside some of the coupon books that students get at the beginning of the semester.
“We advertise toward the students in the Planet Coupon Book and Tiger Bucks,” Parsons said.
It will be a long time before the Eckerd site is completed, according to Kathy Burt, assistant manager of the Eckerd on Perkins Road.
The 13,800 square-foot building is scheduled to open in July, according to Tami Alderman, corporate spokesperson for Eckerd. She said it will feature a drive-thru pharmacy, express photo, 1-hour photo and a food mart.
Alderman said the new Eckerd will offer employment opportunities for about 15 to 20 people.
After the site is completed, Baton Rouge will have six operating Eckerd locations.
Until the closing of this store, Noah’s had three locations in Baton Rouge.
The remaining Noah’s are located on Jefferson Highway and Tiger Bend Road.