Walgreens, a major retail store and pharmacy, is making its way to Magnolia.

At a recent Planning Commission meeting, Architect and Engineer Mark Fieglein of Walgreens showed board members the structure plans of the prospective Walgreens, which will be at FM 1488 and 10th Street.

The Planning Commission approved the plans and Walgreens and Fieglein will be able to apply for building permits, according to City Administrator Paul Mendes.

Fieglein said that once building permits are in place, it should take about six months to complete the construction of the Walgreens.

City Council had already abandoned an easement in the area many months before after learning that Walgreens may be interested in building a location on the spot, according to Mendes.

Board Member Frank Parker and Boo Henderson, who spearhead the Farmers Market looked at the preliminary plans and said the structure should not affect the Farmers Market.

The City of Magnolia is beginning to see an increase in new businesses and residential properties in the area. Businesses are opening, preparing to open or showing interest in the small town’s market.

Two predominant new structures in the area are the Magnolia Bible Church and Magnolia Trails, a retirement facility for seniors, both located on Nichols Sawmill Road.

Papa John’s Pizza opened several months ago on FM 1488. The location previously housed a movie rental store. Pizza Hut’s Wing Street is a new business in the area. Mo-Co’s Grill opened in the “Yellow House.”

In addition to businesses increasing in the area, Magnolia passed a local liquor option in November making the city limits wet after 40 years of being a dry town.

Prior to the election, restaurants had to establish memberships with their customers in order for them to drink alcohol. The restaurants had to pay the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to maintain a liquor license. The city did not gain tax dollars from private memberships and the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Now, restaurants are able to attain a less-expensive state permit through TABC and other bars and liquor stores will have a chance to open in the city limits. Tax dollars from these sales do go to the city.

More businesses in Magnolia create more sales tax revenue for the 4B Community Development Corporation. One-fourth of one percent sales tax is dedicated to community development by the residents of Magnolia.

“The tax provides cities with a wider range of uses for the tax revenues because it is intended to give communities an opportunity to undertake a project for quality of life improvements. The Section 4B tax can be used to fund projects that are typically considered to be community development initiatives,” according to the City of Magnolia.

For more information about the City of Magnolia, visit cityofmagnolia.com.

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