Cullman Shopping Center will host the grand opening of yet another new retailer this month, with Hancock Fabrics is set to offer specials, product demonstrations and prize giveaways Saturday, Oct. 24.

The new shop located beside Books A Million is opening at the renovated shopping center on U.S. 31 and will celebrate with one-day only specials, expanded sale items, product demonstrations and drawings for gift cards ranging in value from $20 to $50 throughout the day.

“We are excited to open a new store in north Alabama and particularly in Cullman,” said Cheryl McDonald, senior vice president of store operations. “This new store is designed with our customers in mind to showcase a greater selection of products and services, offer continual educational opportunities through our new Make It Workshop program, as well as provide a friendly and comfortable shopping experience.”

Employees have been busy in recent weeks getting inventory stocked and organized. Fabrics of every color and pattern lined the shelves Thursday along with a wide selection of Christmas items on display.

The shop looks so ready to do business that a customer mistakenly walked in and began browsing items Thursday, assuming the store was open.

Hancock Fabrics, Inc. sells fashion and home decorating textiles, sewing accessories, needle craft supplies and sewing machines. The company currently operates 261 retail stores in 37 states and an online store at www.hancockfabrics.com.

The fabric retailer joins Publix which opened October 14 and Dick’s Sporting Goods in September. A 10,000 square-foot Ulta Beauty store, a 22,000 square-foot Ross Dress For Less shop and PetSmart are all set to open in early 2016. The new shops join existing anchors Books A Million and Belk at the revamped shopping center that’s been in operation for the past 50 years.

The massive retail revival is being funded with the help of a $6 million retail tax-sharing agreement with developers Merchants Retail Partners (MRP) passed by the Cullman City Council in 2013, marking the city’s first foray in retail incentives. Cullman has invested another $1.8 million in infrastructure for the shopping center.

Under the tax agreement, the city will pay back up to $6 million in sales tax to businesses at the shopping center for a set period of time. The deal only affects city sales tax (1.75 percent) and does not include education taxes.

Looking ahead, residents will soon get another retail option with the new Walmart on Alabama Highway 157 poised to open Nov. 11.