There’s growth along the commercial space across from Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, where construction has begun on a new retail storefront that will bring the city its first AutoZone store.

Located directly across the college along U.S. Highway 31, the store property is an active construction site ahead of the store’s anticipated opening early next year. Project superintendent Steve Holder said the work is anticipated to take about three months to complete, barring any unexpected weather-related delays.

The new store would add the the city’s existing retail options for quick auto parts, which currently include established businesses O’Reilly Auto Parts in north Hanceville as well as the locally-owned downtown business The Parts Store across from Hanceville City Hall along Highway 31.

After operating for decades as James Auto Parts, The Parts Store recently was purchased by residents Cody Fields and Ronnie Lewis, continuing operations without any pause in business while making the change to its new name.

City leaders are eyeing other potential retail developments along the busy highway corridor, though they aren’t yet ready to offer any official announcements. “We’re just happy to have AutoZone coming into the city,” said Mayor Jimmy Sawyer. “They have a great location and they’ve been out there every day working at the site. It should look great once it’s open.”

Once open, Hanceville’s AutoZone will mark the company’s second retail location in Cullman County, in addition to the current AutoZone — also located along Highway 31 — in north Cullman.