5 vacant spaces in Montgomery we’d love to see transformed with major brands

While seeing popular storefronts shut down is never easy, empty storefronts across the River Region present an exciting clean slate for new retail opportunities. It is not uncommon for national chains to test the waters, exit, and later make a triumphant return—we’ve seen former staples like Whataburger, Bojangles, and Checkers successfully re-enter the capital city market after years away. With commercial growth steadying across major corridors, here are five vacant spaces in Montgomery we would love to see filled with popular brands.

Revitalizing Montgomery retail: From empty buildings to hotspots

1. Dave & Buster’s at 2424 Eastern Boulevard

Located in Montgomery’s Promenade Shopping Center alongside The Home Depot, this nearly 44,000-square-foot facility has housed several major retail anchors over the years. Originally built for Sports Authority in the late 1990s, the building sat idle from 2011 to 2014 before reopening as Gander Mountain. Conn’s HomePlus later occupied the footprint in 2019 before closing its doors when the parent company folded in late 2024.

Because Eastern Boulevard remains one of Montgomery’s heavily traveled commercial arteries, this standalone anchor is ideal for Dave & Buster’s. The layout aligns naturally with the entertainment chain’s standard footprint, introducing an interactive, family-friendly dining and arcade destination to the River Region. Dave & Buster’s already operates thriving locations in the Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile markets—making Montgomery the obvious next step for their Alabama footprint. In fact, in a recent Montgomery UP Facebook poll, local followers cited Dave & Buster’s as their top choice for the city. The overwhelming demand suggests strong community support for such a development.

2. Barnes & Noble at 6543 Atlanta Highway

Over in the Oliver Creek Shopping Center, a prominent junior anchor space at 6543 Atlanta Highway sits waiting for its next chapter. The space previously hosted AC Moore, later Big Lots! and most recently Bargain Hunt, which had a brief run from July 2023 until closing during corporate liquidation in February 2025.

We would love to see this high-visibility location converted into a modern Barnes & Noble. Atlanta Highway currently lacks a major brick-and-mortar bookstore, giving the national bookseller a clear opening to establish a loyal local customer base. Longtime residents may recall that Barnes & Noble previously operated a capital city location at Montgomery Towne Center on Eastern Boulevard before closing in 2009. Bringing the brand back to Atlanta Highway would offer book lovers a dedicated spot to gather, browse and sip coffee.

3. Nordstrom Rack at 7951 Eastchase Parkway

Positioned inside East Chase Market Center at 7951 Eastchase Parkway, this space has a long history as a retail draw. Originally opening as Circuit City after relocating to the center in 2008, the store closed during the chain’s nationwide shutdown in 2009. JOANN Fabric and Crafts then took over the building, operating for roughly 15 years before closing when corporate operations ceased in May 2025. Outside of serving as a seasonal Spirit Halloween store, the space remains open for a permanent tenant.

Surrounded by a bustling shopping environment and consistent regional traffic, this storefront would be a great fit for Nordstrom Rack. The off-price retailer is actively expanding its presence across Alabama, with a location in Birmingham and another recently announced for Huntsville. Opening in East Chase Market Center would bring another option for designer apparel, footwear and home goods at discount prices directly to Montgomery shoppers.

4. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers at 8747 Eastchase Parkway

Eastchase Parkway is famous for its dense culinary scene, but 8747 Eastchase Parkway is ready for its next concept. Alabama-based Milo’s brought its burgers and sweet tea back to Montgomery in 2016, but closed this location earlier this year.

We’d love to see classic burgers and frozen treats return to this prime corner lot in the form of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers, crispy shoestring fries and fresh frozen custard, Freddy’s has built a massive footprint from northern Alabama down to the Gulf Coast. Montgomery remains the missing link in their statewide network, and this high-visibility lot offers the drive-thru and dining setup needed to thrive.

5. Trader Joe’s + Petco at 1450 Taylor Road

When Whole Foods anchored the brand-new Chase Corner in 2016, it brought significant foot traffic to 1450 Taylor Road. However, the store closed just six years later, leaving a massive 40,000-square-foot footprint sitting idle across from the major Eastchase retail hub. Because single-tenant operators for a footprint this large can be difficult to secure, dividing the building into multiple stores makes standard commercial sense.

Our dream combo to split these vacant spaces in Montgomery? A multi-tenant layout featuring Trader Joe’s and Petco.

• Trader Joe’s: Alabama grocery shoppers frequently petition for more locations of this beloved specialty grocer. A smaller-format footprint inside Chase Corner would bring their signature private-label products, affordable wine selections and unique specialty items to Montgomery without requiring the full 40,000-square-foot layout.
• Petco: Petco previously served local pet owners along Eastern Boulevard before closing its Woodmere Crossing location in 2024 amid center shifts. Joining Trader Joe’s on Taylor Road would return a full-service pet supply store to a booming retail corridor.

Even with these two anchors in place, the 40,000-square-foot building still offers plenty of room for boutique shops or local service businesses.

Note: None of these commercial deals or brand additions have been announced. These suggestions represent conceptual ideas and wishful thinking for available real estate across Montgomery.

Which of these major national brands would you most love to see open next in Montgomery? Chime in with us on Facebook.