In the world of Tim Hortons, Rocky Mountain House is poised to become a double town.
The coffee and doughnut chain is developing a store at Gateway Crossing, the commercial centre near the intersection of Hwy 11 and 52nd Street.
David Morelli, public affairs director with Tim Hortons Inc., said work on the stand-alone shop is underway, with its opening anticipated for early next year.
The 2,400-square-foot outlet will include a drive-through, and is expected to employ 30 to 40 people on a part-time and full-time basis.
A Tim Hortons operates in Rocky at 4403 41st Ave. Morelli said it’s not unusual for his company to open two outlets in smaller communities if the demographics and traffic patterns can support them.
This year, about 150 Tim Horton stores are expected to open across Canada.
Meanwhile, The Cash Store is also taking advantage of the leasing opportunities at Gateway Crossing to grow its presence in Rocky.
The cash advance business is working toward a Nov. 19 opening of an outlet in a multi-tenant building there.
The Cash Store’s existing Rocky location, at 4828 50th Ave., will continue to operate, said a company spokesman.
Also slated for Gateway Crossing is a Lube-X Fast Oil Change centre. Company spokesman Tim Stadnyk said the business, which will have its own building, will open soon.
Ryan Darragh, leasing and development manager with Gateway Crossing developer Ronmor Developers Inc., said a professional tenant has also committed to one of the bays in the multi-occupant building. He wouldn’t identify the business, but said it might pave the way for other professionals.
Already open at Gateway Crossing, which is located at the former site of Will Sinclair High School, is Shoppers Drug Mart, Warehouse One — The Jean Store, Subway and Taco Del Mar.
“We’ve had quite a bit of action there,” said Darragh, who expects the momentum to continue.
“I candidly believe that it’s probably going to be one of the strongest sites in Rocky for a long time to come.”
A pad site and a few bays in the multi-tenant building remain in the first phase of the development, which covers about four acres, said Darragh. Another two acres to the north have been conditionally committed, he added, although details cannot be disclosed at this time.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com