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A real estate marketing flyer along with correspondence between Waynesville’s Land Use Administrator Byron Hickox and an Asheville sign company both point to the conclusion that German grocer Aldi is eyeing a spot in the old Kmart plaza on Russ Avenue.

The plaza boasts a number of businesses including Advance Auto Parts, Blimpie, Hibbett Sports, Little Caesar’s and Big Lots and had been home to anchor tenant Kmart until it closed amid bankruptcy proceedings in 2019.

But the plaza has suddenly become a beehive of activity, with Calabasas, California-based Harbor Freight Tools announcing a location there in 2021. The store opened earlier this spring, and is expected to employ 25 to 30 people, adding to its total of more than 25,000 workers in 1,300 locations across the United States.

Previously, the closest Harbor Freight locations were in Henderson and Macon counties.

Advance Auto Parts is set to move from its standalone building on the northeast corner of the plaza to a new location adjacent to the north side of the Harbor Freight store, according to Hickox.

A 32,000 square-foot spot adjacent to the south side of Harbor Freight — the crux of the old Kmart — remains vacant. To the south of that space, there’s another 26,000 square-foot spot that according to multiple sources will become the newest of Aldi’s 12,000 stores worldwide.

Divaris, a commercial real estate agency in Charlotte, has been marketing the plaza to prospective tenants with a flyer that shows the layout of the plaza.

The flyer confirms the move by Advance Auto Parts and also shows Aldi taking the vacant space south of Harbor Freight.

Around 25,000 cars pass the plaza each day, according to Divaris. Other demographic information listed on the flyer indicates that more than 1,800 people with an average household income of $57,100 live within a mile of the site. Within five miles, there are approximately 31,000 people with an average household income of nearly $72,000.

In February, Hickox heard from Divaris and from Moss Sign Company about making town-approved changes to the Kmart sign. The dialogue about the sign actually began in October, 2020.

Last week, workers could be seen removing the old Kmart sign on the edge of the parcel nearest Russ Ave.

Aldi operates more than 2,700 locations in the U.S. Along with Harbor Freight, Aldi will help plug the sales-tax-collections hole created when Kmart left.

When reached for comment on April 21, Aldi’s Divisional Vice President Shaun O’Keefe said the company did not have any information to share regarding a potential new store in Waynesville.

If Aldi opens a location there, it will be the second new grocer to open on Russ Avenue in Waynesville since Bi-Lo closed in 2019. The Bi-Lo strip mall was razed in 2021, and will soon become the 210-unit Mountain Creek apartment complex.

Also in 2019, Lakeland, Florida-based Publix opened a new location just south of the Kmart plaza, joining regional stalwart Ingles in the growing Haywood County market.

According to Divaris, in addition to the vacant 31,000 square-foot space in the plaza, the current Advance Auto Parts standalone — at 6,000 square feet — will be available once the retailer vacates the building and moves into its new space. There’s also the possibility for a 2,000 square-foot outparcel in the 385-space parking lot.

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — First came the stunning news that Canton's Pactiv Evergreen plant was closing. Questions followed regarding the impact on the company's Waynesville operation. It has led to a lot of confusion for workers seeking clarity.

Pactiv Evergreen mill actions confusing to Canton, Waynesville workers

A letter from Pactiv Evergreen to workers at the Waynesville facility says that it's the plant's intention to substantially reduce operations due to the facility's reliance on the Canton mill, which is closing permanently.

The letter says the reduction will result in permanent job eliminations for employees at the Waynesville facility. But, for now, the plant will remain running.

“As of this morning, the Waynesville mill will reduce operations, but they will still be operating,” says David Francis, director of economic development for Haywood County.

Francis says he's speaking from the standpoint of his job, not on behalf of the mill or union.

PACTIV EVERGREEN'S CLOSURE TO TAKE ABOUT A $3 MILLION BITE OUT OF CANTON BUDGET

Companies making such changes, by law, must file with the state and send letters, or WARN, notices to employees. WARN stands for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification.

The WARN notices indicate job eliminations begin June 9.

Francis says it's a required initial blanket statement. But he understands how the notifications could lead to worker confusion.

“They have to be there on June 9 to go and receive the full severance package," he said. "If they're there past June 9, it also kicks in that Rapid Response-retraining, things that would be offered between HCC and other benefits they may receive if they stay past June 9."

Many workers will be needed at each facility past June 9.

“Part of the bargaining agreement is, I think, some things are based on seniority, some things, however, are based on time of service,” Francis says.

Pactiv Evergreen says it anticipates reducing Waynesville staff by the end of June as it winds down the Canton mill.

The WARN letters also say job eliminations are to be completed by March 9, 2025, which corresponds to the company wastewater contract with Canton.

Reduced operations in Waynesville will impact the town. Mayor Gary Caldwell says it's the second-largest water customer.

MILL CLOSURE IN CANTON WILL HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS FOR AREA REAL ESTATE, MAYOR SAYS

“It's somewhere in the neighborhood of $96,000 a year,” he says.

Francis says it will be surprising how far-reaching the closure and reductions will be.

Pactiv Evergreen says information on when and what jobs will end and how many will be available upon request.

Beth Kelly, director of communications for Pactiv Evergreen, shared the following statement with News 13:

Pactiv Evergreen continues to explore strategic alternatives for the Waynesville extrusion facility. As previously announced, we anticipate reducing staffing at the Waynesville facility by the end of June as we simultaneously wind-down our Canton mill.

We distributed legally required WARN notices to all Waynesville employees, which was necessary as we have not completed Effects Bargaining with the union. Through the Effects Bargaining process, which started yesterday, we will determine employee impacts.

We remain committed to treating all impacted employees with fairness and respect, and supporting them through this process.

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A neighborhood dispute over dogs in Haywood County culminated on May 28.

Dog dispute: Waynesville residents say it took 3 years, 1 dead dog for county to step in

Multiple dogs were removed from a property on Brandywine Road in the Shadow Woods neighborhood of Waynesville.

Neighbors said the issues span years, and they are frustrated that it took the death of a dog for the county’s animal services to step in.

Property owner, Andrew Horton, said he does not live at the Brandywine Road home. According to Horton, he uses the home as a kennel, where he was creating a new breed. He said his kennel manager was not at the property when the attack happened.

“I’m trying to design these dogs to be useful in wolf territory, so they need to be robust, they need to be hardy,” Horton said. “It’s basically a bulldog/wolfhound combination so there’s Anatolian shepherd, American bulldog, German shepherd, Alaskan malamute, there’s a little collie in there, there’s Dogo Argentino, and there’s a little husky in there.”

Horton calls the breed, ‘Dogo Lobero.’

“They’re guardian dogs, so if there’s a predator like a coyote or a stray coming in causing trouble, they’re meant to neutralize the nuisance,” Horton said. “There’s no neglect; all the dogs are well fed, well cared for, they have insulated houses that they can use as they wish.”

'IT DID GET OVER MY HEAD:' WOMAN CHARGED IN ANIMAL HOARDING CASE SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME

Robb Bock, president of the Shadow Woods Homeowner’s Association, described a very different scene.

“From the early stages of when he started collecting dogs and breeding dogs, it was pretty apparent that there were problems with the welfare and health of the dogs,” Bock said. “When you come up here and look and see what’s going on and see the condition of those dogs, it’s really revealing.”

Bock said the HOA has gone back and forth with Horton for about three years. Numerous noise complaints eventually lead to a conviction for Horton in May. He was fined and issued probation. According to Bock, Horton told the magistrate he would get the dogs off the property within 30 days of his May 10 court date.

“Many of the neighbors have been living in fear, because we don’t know what to do,” said Jim Falvo, Horton’s next-door neighbor.

Falvo heard the dogs fighting on Sunday. It’s not abnormal, he said, but when he and other neighbors went to check it out, he noticed one was dead. He took video with his cellphone.

“It shouldn’t have come to this this should not have happened,” Falvo said. “[Horton] shouldn’t be raising dogs he shouldn’t be allowed to.”

ASSISTANT DA WHO SUGGESTED DOG'S VOCAL CORDS BE REMOVED NO LONGER EMPLOYED WITH OFFICE

Sunday’s incident appeared to be the final straw. Haywood County sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers responded to the scene. Over the next two days, 10 dogs were taken from the property. Howard Martin, executive director of animal services said Horton voluntarily surrendered the dogs.

“There’s no hoarding,” Martin said. “He’s been cited for leash law violations under our county ordinance, and he’s been cited for any kind of neglect on an ordinance, but as far as all out cruelty of state statutes, no there’s not any cruel situation.”

Martin declined to share how many times animal control officers have been to the property. Within the last year, the sheriff’s office has been called out 104 times.

Horton chalks it up to bad blood between neighbors; Falvo and Bock don’t see it that way.

“The noise is a nuisance, but the greater concern is for the animals,” Bock said.

Of the 10 dogs surrendered to the county, Martin said one was given back to Horton’s wife. As for the other nine, he said they will be evaluated to determine whether they can be adopted. If not, they will likely be euthanized.

“Those dogs are bred for livestock protection so they’re bred to be aggressive,” Martin said.

June 27, 2023 - Tuesday evening, June 27, 2023, Waynesville Town Council voted 4-1 to postpone the idea of a social district downtown indefinitely. The vote came after many residents spoke passionately during a public hearing against the idea. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

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WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The streets of Waynesville will not be seeing a social district anytime soon.

Vote on social district postponed indefinitely amid concerns it would 'ruin' town

Tuesday evening, Waynesville Town Council voted 4-1 to postpone the idea of a social district indefinitely.

The designation would have allowed people to walk around a defined area in town with alcoholic beverages. Businesses in the area would have decided whether or not to allow people with those beverages in their stores.

The Downtown Waynesville Commission recommended a social district every day of the week from 10 in the morning until 10 at night in the immediate Main Street area.

Ahead of the vote Tuesday evening, Waynesville Mayor Gary Caldwell told News 13 he knew the issue was capturing attention.

The Downtown Waynesville Commission conducted a survey showing most business owners and residents favored the idea. But as word spread, so did opinions.

“What we're hearing now is there's more and more people that are coming out against it,” Mayor Caldwell said ahead of the vote.

SIPPING AND STROLLING: PUBLIC MAY GET TO OFFER FEEDBACK ON WAYNESVILLE'S SOCIAL DISTRICT PROPOSAL

Opinions earlier Tuesday varied along Main Street's sidewalks.

“It's sort of fun, really, because everyone's happy,” Linda Lasch said.

She said it's working back home in Savannah, and she thought it could work in Waynesville.

“It still sort of frees you up to maybe have a glass of wine," she added. "You want to move on, and we see people just walk around with their little cup and there isn't any trouble."

It was a similar feeling from Thad Ovcarich from Miami.

“I think it’s a great idea," he said. "A lot of other little cities that I'm from or visited, they do it there."

Still others were ambivalent.

“I'm kind of on the fence about that,” said Waynesville resident Anne Page. “I think it might be nice to maybe walk around town. But on the other hand, when I think of the shop owners sometimes about, I don't know, maybe spilling stuff like that, I don't know."

Mayor Caldwell said he would be voting no on the issue.

“Not for me, yeah, not for me," he told News 13. "Not with my Christian belief. I cannot support it. I feel that there's probably some board members that do support it.”

PREVIEW: News 13's Rex Hodge spoke with Waynesville's mayor and some folks on the street ahead of Tuesday night's town council vote on a social district space for downtown. (WLOS)

Town council's vote happened Tuesday evening after many residents spoke passionately during a public hearing against the idea.

“I know what social districts look like in time," one resident, Trudy Schmidt, said. "I have seen it and I don’t know what the object is for you people to do this to Waynesville."

Schmidt said she believed the idea would be nothing but a mistake and asked council members why they would want to ruin Waynesville.

“There’s a huge difference in individual businesses promoting their food, their excellent service, their vibe and even their alcohol offerings versus a town promoting itself as an alcohol town,” said resident Bob Cummings.

Another resident called on the council to spend their time and energy on the problems they're already facing.

“What will we do with our already over capacity jail when laws are broken, crimes are committed and folks have to be hauled off?” questioned Deenie Brooks.

Resident John Wattsworth said that they all love Waynesville the way it is and that they will hold the council’s feet to the fire if they vote for this district.

“The social district favors drinkers at the expense of all other citizens,” resident Theresa Brothers expressed.

Another resident, Stephanie Sutton, said that there had been a petition going around the town that 403 residents had signed that held their position that they do not want open drinking on the streets of Waynesville.

RECOMMENDATION FOR A DOWNTOWN SOCIAL DISTRICT HEADS TO WAYNESVILLE LEADERS

“Listen to the will of the people and to vote no to this proposal,” she expressed.

Resident Terry Kelly said that the town’s motto is 'progress with a vision' and that this proposal shows neither progress nor vision.

“It would increase public drunkenness, crime, probably drug use and many other ill things,” he said.

The only resident that spoke in favor of the proposal was Jeremy Stephans.

“I’m hearing a lot of demonizing in this room, a lot of finger pointing, a lot of accusations that drinking is going to lead to the devil,” he said.

He explained that every opinion there had been emotionally driven and asked council members to not let the emotions of people sway them, but to look at the data.

In the end, the council went with the majority and voted 4-1 to postpone the idea of a social district indefinitely.

This left many residents pleased, but worried that with it being indefinitely postponed the idea could resurface eventually.

A North Carolina worker bought a lottery ticket on her day off — and the prize left her in tears, officials said.

“It was just a whole bunch of people crying out of excitement,” Kimberly Coleman said, recalling the moment she told her family she hit the jackpot.

Now, Coleman has big plans to help her relatives, the N.C. Education Lottery wrote in a July 12 news release.

“One of my dreams is to save the money to buy a house in the future where my mom could live with me,” Coleman, who is from Waynesville, told lottery officials. “I want a house where I can help take care of her later on.”

Kimberly Coleman of #Waynesville looks forward to helping her mom after a $200,000 win! “My mom is my world so to be able to help her makes me really happy,” she said. Her Carolina Jackpot ticket was from Quick Pantry on Dellwood Road. #NCLottery https://t.co/njO9jA9iOj pic.twitter.com/OmESfoPwxK

— NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) July 12, 2023

Officials said Coleman scored a six-figure prize after stopping at a familiar spot. On a day when she wasn’t on the clock, she went to her workplace and spent $5 on a lottery ticket for the Carolina Jackpot game.

The scratch-off ticket — purchased at a Quick Pantry gas station store in Waynesville — was worth $200,000. Coleman couldn’t contain her emotions.

“I kind of acted like a fool a little bit jumping up and down,” she told lottery officials.

And when she told her family about her winning ticket, the tears started to flow.

“I brought it home and showed my mom and she started to cry,” Coleman said in the release. “I cried too.

Coleman kept $142,501 after taxes. In addition to helping her mother with a home, she said she hopes to share her prize money with relatives.

“My mom is my world so to be able to help her makes me really happy,” Coleman told the N.C. Education Lottery.

Waynesville is in Haywood County, roughly 30 miles southwest of the popular mountain town of Asheville.

It’s not the first time someone bought a lucky lottery ticket at their workplace. Last year, officials said another North Carolina woman got richer after playing the lottery while she wasn’t on duty.