BY CASEY MURPHY
Monday,September 30, 2013
Staff Writer

Ed Thompson is working to revive retail centers in north Tyler to provide opportunities for small businesses to thrive.

One of those centers, Meadow Plaza, might have a new name and look, but it has been a staple on Gentry Parkway for nearly 40 years.

Built in the 1960s, Thompson said it used to be "the shopping center" in the area until a lot of businesses had to relocate when Gentry Parkway was wide ned. The shopping center fell into disrepair, with leaking roofs and bathrooms and crumbling brick walls.

Thompson, a developer, bought the center in 2007, and last year named it Meadow Plaza since it is at the intersection of Gentry and Meadow Lane.

"By giving it a name, it gives it a destination," he said. "It's about trying to create a destination for an atmosphere of shopping. It's kind of an old feel walk-and-shop."

Thompson is trying to encourage female entrepreneurs to open businesses in the area, he said, adding that the five main businesses in Meadow Plaza are all owned by women.

"I bought these old centers to redo and create opportunities for these businesses to thrive and grow in the north Tyler area," Thompson said. "It's just a different feeling now when you drive up and down Gentry."

He said he has been encouraging other businesses in the area to remodel, and several have revamped or expanded their facilities, including American Pawn, Tyler Beverages Inc., Whataburger and Taco Bell-Long John Silver's.

Thompson said that "when a person does something, it's kind of contagious," and a lot of things are changing in the area. "It created a whole different atmosphere."

At Meadow Plaza, the building's brick was so old it couldn't be found anymore to be repaired, and the interior walls could no longer hold paint. Every time it rained, the leaking roof would flood the businesses, he said, adding that nothing was being spent to upkeep the building. Thompson started the renovation project, which included elevating the buildings and flat-top roof, in 2011.

"I wanted to keep a little bit of that old look and mix it with a little bit of modern," he said, showing off the brick stucco. Signs for the new businesses are expected to come in this week and will be followed by a grand opening celebration, he added.

NEW BUSINESSES
Thompson's office was once located where Mustard Seed Learning Academy and Boutique is now in the Meadow Plaza center, and he and his wife opened Young at Heart Accessories Boutique where a barber shop once was.

Malissa's Beauty Shop has been there for 17 years and remains in the remodeled building. Oh What a Day Event Planning, Gifts & More is also a new business in the center. And Gentry Donuts, a dine-in shop, opened in February after the space that formerly housed DC Fried Ribs was renovated.

Thompson said the part of the center facing Gentry was completed in late 2012. Renovations continue on the part of the center that faces Meadow Lane and includes the BCFS Health & Human Services Tyler Transition Center, which assists foster children, and Cuttin Up Barber Shop. Ron Lewis owns the barber shop that has been in the center for 20 years and has doubled his size with the relocation.

Thompson's wife of two years, Melvenia Thompson, opened Young at Heart Accessories with business partner and store manager Gracie Vargas on Sept. 3.

"I wanted to do something on my own," Mrs. Thompson, 57, said of opening the business. She works as a customer service representative for Bancorp South.

She said her husband thought of the idea for an accessory store, and after she met Ms. Vargas, they decided to become partners.

Ms. Vargas, 36, said she opened a shop, Lace by Grace, in another location but after four or five months, she realized she needed a bigger space. She went to Thompson about the Meadow Plaza center because she saw what he had done with the North Chase development and revamping commercial suites in the area, she said.

Ms. Vargas said the store offers jewelry, fashion bags and tights, designer shades, scarves, clutches and anything to do with accessories, as well as 100 percent virgin Peruvian and Brazilian hair and fragrance oils.

Thompson said the concept of his wife and Ms. Vargas starting the business is to bring people of Tyler a unique shopping experience.

"What this shop does is provide a unique service. ... It fills a niche," he said.

COMBINING PASSIONS
Gladys Moore was born and raised a few blocks away from Meadow Plaza and still lives nearby. That's why she decided to open a business there, she said.

On July 1, Ms. Moore opened Mustard Seed Learning Academy and Boutique, combining her loves for teaching children and shopping into one business.

"He has done a wonderful job," she said of Thompson's renovation of the building. "It's nice and comfortable. ... The atmosphere is businesslike and I love it."

Ms. Moore has been a substitute teacher for elementary, middle and high school classes in the Tyler Independent School District since 2009.

"Working with children is my passion," she said. "Academically, I want them to have a solid foundation."

She said in school, the curriculum goes by so fast a child can get behind. She wants to work with elementary school children to build a solid foundation that will help them through their school years. She said children can come for tutoring as often as they want. She tutors in math, reading and writing, as well as helps people prepare for the GED.

As far as adding the boutique to the business, Ms. Moore said, "I love to shop. I'm a shopaholic."

She offers clothing for women, men and children, as well as handbags, home d cor and other items. She also offers consignment.

Ms. Moore believes Thompson is doing a good job bringing businesses back to the area.

"He has brought it back to life," she said of Meadow Plaza. "He's beautified the neighborhood."

Now that Meadow Plaza is nearly completed, Thompson is focusing his efforts on a nearby retail center on Bow Street that suffered a fire in February. Where the former M&M Record Shop was located will become a doctor's office, he said.

Thompson envisions boutiques and shops to fill the five spaces in what will be called Bow Plaza, and said he also would like to see a dentist office come to the area. He hopes to have renovations done by January, he added.

Thompson said he is encouraging people to get in business in the area.

"The whole concept is to encourage ... that's the only way you start economic growth is to encourage the need for first-time businesses," he said.