By Sara Beth Williams–
The Grand Oaks Plaza on Auburn Boulevard is seeing new business activity, with two new businesses opening their doors and one business opening up to the public for the first time in almost a year.
Global Printing Press and Copy, a digital printing company, is the newest business to open in the plaza. Business owner Abid Mohammad said in a phone call to The Sentinel on Wednesday that the business officially opened two weeks ago.
Global Printing offers a variety of printing services, and has brightly colored signage and store hours posted. The store was not open during a Sentinel visit to the shopping center last Wednesday. The printing shop offers screen printing on t-shirts and hoodies, and large sign, banner and poster printing, among other services.
Mohammad said it will take time to get things going but he is optimistic about the future of business.
“Neighbors are helping, that’s pretty nice,” the business owner said, adding that he’s already made 200 custom t-shirts for Phat Chad’s Tavern next door.
On the other side of Dollar General, The Camp Transformation Center, a weight loss fitness center, opened in October of 2022, and offers fitness classes in mornings and evenings. Stephanie Castro, director of The Camp Transformation Center said the center is not an ordinary gym, but a place for those specifically seeking trainers to help guide them in their fitness and nutrition goals.
Alfi House, an outlet that sells closeout and overstock furniture and appliances, toys and household items, recently opened to the public for the first time after having only been available to customers by appointment since November of 2021.
Latifah Alfi, a sales representative with Alfi House, told The Sentinel that the furniture store opened up to the public three months ago and is currently offering significant discounts on all items.
Alfi cited homelessness in the shopping center as a concern, mentioning that the store remained open by appointment due to safety concerns.
The addition of new businesses is a welcome sign and a “total positive”, according to Paul Lee, owner of Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant, which sits near the center of the plaza.
“More business means more people will shop here.”
