A NEW shopping complex will make its way into the old Masters warehouse next year after sitting empty for more than four years.
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The owners of the site, HomeCo, revealed its plans about three years ago to turn the building into a major retail destination but there had been no sign of action until now.
It is looking to open its Wagga branch on Hammond Avenue by June 2021.
However, mystery still surrounds exactly which new shops will be housed within the complex, which can hold up to 10 retailers.
However, HomeCo has hinted that shoppers can expect "fresh food, leisure, and lifestyle" to be among the offerings.
Wagga Business Chamber director Rhyley Hunter said people had been wanting to see movement on the long-vacated site for some time now.
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With developments progressing down the highway at the corner of Edward and Baylis streets and The Mill site, Mr Hunter said it was a promising step towards strengthening Wagga's image as a healthy and vibrant city.
"It will be a great thing for people driving into town to see that vibrancy taking place before they even hit Baylis Street," he said.
The HomeCo shopping centre will also share the space with the pre-existing stores of Anaconda, PETstock, and Pillow Talk.
Mr Hunter said the plan will bring even more customers to the current businesses on site, which were already thriving with strong trade.
"I think if we can get other stores into the building that complement the existing businesses it only means good things for the city," Mr Hunter said.
"Especially as we expand out and [it gives residents] another place to go that might be of benefit."
Although the warehouse has been abandoned for four years, Wagga property valuer Chris Egan said there was "no correlation between the old Masters site and unprofitably" and new businesses could thrive at this location.
He said the reason it has taken so long to fill is because of the "very small market" for a space of that size.
"That is a high exposure, high profile site and businesses going in there should be successful if its business model is positive," he said.
Mr Egan said the new addition of shopfronts in the area will have a "positive flow on effect" to the surrounding businesses that will benefit from the higher level of pedestrian and car flow back in the area. He added it was "positive" to see vacant buildings at Wagga's entrance taken up for retail use.
The Wagga development is one of three branches that have recently received the green light.
The centre will be large in scope, accommodating 391 parking spaces within the 150,000 square metres complex.