Crestwood's planning a comeback

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Crestwood Station is coming back to life.

Tracy Harris/The Oldham Era

Crestwood Station — a new entrance sign, a repaved parking lot and the first anchor tenant in 15 years opening in August. Is it finally time for Crestwood Station to make a comeback?

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For 15 years, the shopping center has been dormant, with few but frequently changing tenants.

But a revitalization in the center is taking hold, and a second All About Kids fitness facility will soon anchor the space.

All About Kids is purchasing the 46,000-square-foot space and will remodel it to provide a place for gymnastics, cheerleading, tae kwon do, dance and swimming classes.

It will be the company’s second location. Owner Angie Tyler said the facility will be similar to its space on Blankenbaker Parkway in Louisville, but scaled down.

The facility will employ about eight to 10 full-time employees and additional part-time employees, Tyler said.

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” she said, “but we think it’ll be worth it.”

The building has been vacant since Walmart relocated to Westport Road in 1997. The store opened in Crestwood in May 1983.

Tyler said she’s considered an Oldham County location for several years, since there are already many Oldham and Henry students in attendance.

The facility is projected to open in August. 

Crestwood Mayor Dennis Deibel is excited to see All About Kids open in the city and is discussing possible tax incentives with Tyler.

Deibel said an agreement hasn’t been finalized but the city will likely offer a multi-year rebate on the insurance premium tax for All About Kids if enough new jobs are added. 

Bringing in an already-successful business will be good for the shopping center, Deibel said.

“If we get this last piece of the puzzle fixed it will really help that center be a viable shopping area,” he said.

Southeast Christian Church opened in the former Winn-Dixie space a year ago, and brought with it an expansive remodel and repaved parking lot.

The church now draws more than 2,000 people each Sunday and is planning volunteer opportunities with the newly-opened Autism Center at Apple Patch next door.

In late 2010, M&P Collections planned to purchase the space but backed out in June 2011. Lenders for the project wanted an in-depth environmental study to assess a dry cleaning fluid spill a decade before, and M&P officials said the study would take too long to complete.

Now, Deibel is confident the shopping center is on the rebound.

“With the addition of new businesses and Southeast Christian attracting traffic, it’s going to help all those businesses prosper,” he said.

Tenants like Ann’s Hallmark and Frascelli’s restaurant have weathered the storm and hope All About Kids will draw more customers into the center.

Deana Epperly Karem, executive director of Oldham Chamber and Economic Development, thinks it will do just that.

“It can only bring more good things to the rest of the businesses in the station and in the surrounding area,” Karem said. 

Tyler plans to lease about 18,000 square feet to other tenants. 

The facility will be open daily, with preschool classes on weekday mornings and classes for older children after school. 

Purchase and renovation of the property will cost about $3 million.

There’s a lot of work to be done to the space, she said, but she’s optimistic the purchase will close next month and work can begin.

For information on the new Autism Center at Apple Patch that opened in Crestwood Station earlier this year, read story online.