Most of the stores in the Drinkard Development plaza are expecting to reopen by mid-May as work continues after the March 19 hailstorm that left millions of dollars of damage in its wake.

One business, Maurcies, chose not to reopen, said Drinkard spokesman Jason Grimmett.

“Maurices was near the end of its lease and chose not to renew,” Grimmett said. “We are working to find another retailer who would fit well in our market. The area is solid with Walmart and restaurants all around, so it keeps a high volume of traffic.”

Grimmett said the roofs of the two shopping centers in the southside shopping district have been replaced, noting that Palm Beach Tan has already re-opened.

“We’re glad they could open after so much damage,” Grimmett. “The area looked like a war zone because the storm lasted so long and came with so much force. But we’re looking at most everyone back in business by mid May, the end of May at the latest.”

Grimmett said the damage is easily an estimated $10 million, but his company is still working with adjusters to get a final assessment.

“You can’t put a final figure on the damage at this time. It was catastrophic,” he said. “You have to look at the physical damage, the lost merchandise, rent loss and the people who have been without jobs of the storm.”

Even if a tenant is not found for the Maurices location in the next few weeks, Grimmett said the Drinkard company will be attending the annual retail convention in Las Vegas later in May and meet with potential clients.

“Las Vegas is the big gathering in retail. Everyone will be there and that will be a chance again to see who is expanding,” Grimmett said. “We always discover retailers and other businesses that haven’t come to the South or the state, yet. So, it’s an exciting opportunity.”

The March storm left widespread damages to homes, cars and businesses. Many home owners and automobile owners are still trying to have repairs and replacements done to their property.

The hail came in historic size, including a record piece that landed in Cullman County. A meteorologist for the National Weather Service said the magnitude of the storm was caused when two systems collided and raced through Cullman, Welti and other areas. The size of the hail was uncommon for areas in the Southeast.