the top coffee franchise startup in the U.S., which opened last year and quickly became a local favorite. The results have been remarkable, with Marion posting the highest opening month sales of any Scooters location nationwide.“The community here is very supportive of the businesses,” emphasizes Freddie Thorne, Director of Planning and Community Development.“Hopefully that trend will lead to more businesses coming in, when they see the support that we give.” The opening of the flagship location of Cortez Mexican Restaurant is another highly anticipated addition to the community. “The owner of that restaurant currently owns seven restaurants across the Mid South,” details Thorne. “It’s about a $2.3 million project. It should be one of the nicest restaurants we have in town.”The hope is that this location, away from Marion’s primary commercial area, will spark new growth along a mostly residential corridor in the city. A HUB OF COMMERCE AND HOSPITALITY With an ideal location at the crossroads of Interstates 55 and 40, the city benefits from steady traffic in every direction, making it a natural overnight stop for travelers moving north-south or east-west across the country. Roughly two decades ago, a major development project transformed more than 100 acres of farmland in Marion into a thriving commercial district.“Currently there are four or five restaurants in that area and four hotels,” Mayor Brick expands.“We have two Marriott flags, a Hilton and a Best Western, and the fifth hotel, a TownPlace Suites, is about to break ground.” With exceptional hotel occupancy rates, averaging above 90 percent even during slower periods, it’s no wonder this area continues to grow. Thorne highlights,“The current owner of the one that’s being built, that was his main incentive for building here. He builds hotels all over the world, and he just is amazed that we keep a 90% capacity. Apparently, in the hotel world, that’s a pretty good rate.” Expanding tourism opportunities in Marion is a primary goal, and the $15 million Sultana Disaster Museum is expected to draw ten thousand visitors annually. It will be the anchor on a planned museum 250 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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