While rumors are circulating through the community that a new tenant has been found for the old Magic Mart building, it appears the empty commercial building is still on the market.
Records checks with the Carter County Register of Deeds and Property Assessor’s office found no transactions involving the properties. Sam Ellis in the property assessor’s office said the last change for the Magic Mart property was on May 17, 2007.
There was serious interest in the property toward the end of December, but a sale never happened, Carter County Tomorrow President Tom Anderson said.
A distribution company had been considering the property, he said, but the building was not large enough.
With no available space to expand, the buyer passed on the property. Another retailer also had been considering the space, he said.
In the past, Big Lots had been planning to make the move to the old Magic Mart building and started a round of repairs, Anderson said, but the retailer worked out a new arrangement with its current building’s owner, so the store stayed put.
The Magic Mart property’s holding company has blocked off the parking lot to present a better appearance to potential buyers, he said.
“There had been a lot of trucks parking in the lot, and it made it look like an abandoned property,” he said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the property remained available.
“There have been some rumblings and people sniffing around, but nothing has been completed,” Anderson said.