News Staff Report
Wind Creek Atmore (WCA) announced this week that ground will be broken later this month for a new Starbucks just off I-65, near the casino.
According to a news release issued Monday, Jan. 6, construction on the new coffee shop is scheduled to begin in March, with plans for a fall grand opening. The Atmore location is projected to draw an additional 300 cars and 750 customers daily from I-65 Exit 57.
“I see this as a great opportunity to introduce travelers to Wind Creek, the Poarch Creek Indians and the town of Atmore,” WCA Property Manager Tim Ramer said. “Starbucks will provide a well-respected, international brand to residents of Escambia and surrounding counties.”
The 2,000-square-foot, stand-alone facility will offer drive-through service, seated dining and retail shopping across the street from the Creek Convenience Store (The Smoke Shop) on Poarch Road, adjacent to the Spa at Wind Creek.
The destination will occupy a prime location for coffee lovers; the nearest Starbucks along the I-65 corridor are in Prattville (113 miles north of Atmore) and at Springhill Avenue in Mobile (47 miles south of here).
The project is expected to create 20 or more permanent jobs in addition to numerous temporary construction jobs.