Gilbert, AZ is gearing up for the continued expansion of its commercial footprint with the impending completion of Morrison Ranch Commercial Center. Touted to be a key addition to the local economy, the center will feature a Fry's Food Stores supermarket as its anchor tenant. The Phoenix Business Journal reported on March 8 that the site is expected to open towards the end of 2024.
According to Pam Giannonatti, corporate affairs manager of Fry's Food Stores, "We are thrilled to continue to grow in Arizona, opening a new store in Gilbert, and we are hopeful to have it open by the close of 2024," speaking to ABC15. Fry's enthusiasm is shared by the local community eagerly anticipating the new shopping center sprawling across more than 20 acres at the northwest corner of Power and Elliot roads.
Real estate firm Barclay Group, located both in Phoenix and Tampa, is spearheading the construction of the Morrison Ranch Commercial Center, with the land being jointly owned by Fred Meyer Stores Inc., a Kroger Co. subsidiary, and Barclay Group themselves, as revealed by Maricopa County Assessor's records and reported by ABC15.
The shopping center's opening will introduce not only Fry's Food Stores but also a fueling station. Meanwhile, efforts to lease the remaining spaces are ongoing, with a marketing flyer suggesting that Slim Chickens, Jersey Mike's Subs, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and Black Rock Coffee Bar will join the lineup, according to the information obtained by Phoenix Business Journal.
In the broader commercial landscape of Gilbert, the Morrison Ranch Commercial Center sits across from another ambitious venture, The Ranch. A mixed-use project valued at $1 billion covering 300 acres, The Ranch promises a blend of industrial, retail, and restaurant spaces, along with more than 750 multifamily apartments and plentiful open spaces. This expansive development reflects the town's rapid growth and was greenlit by both the Gilbert Planning Commission and Town Council in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
