Developers often say, "retail follows rooftops." And just what follows the retail? Jobs, for one thing.
As population booms along Tucson's edges, in communities like Sahuarita and Oro Valley, big boxes are blossoming and residents, many of them newcomers, are taking advantage of jobs that come with the opening of new shopping centers.
Before its opening, about 400 people applied for jobs at Sprouts Farmers Market, 7665 N. Oracle Road, at the Oracle Crossing shopping center in Oro Valley.
Eventually 100 people were hired, said Preston Kessler, store manager at Sprouts.
"People are still applying. We're seeing a lot of working folks coming in for jobs," he said.
With population growing from about 29,700 in 2000 to about 40,000 in 2005, Oro Valley is starting to see the first phase of new retail and service jobs expected to come with the openings of three new retail centers this year, said Town Councilwoman Helen Dankwerth.
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"It's fair to say they are the biggest retail developments the town has ever seen," she said. "We are in a retail boom."
In Sahuarita, where population swelled from 3,000 in 1999, to approaching 13,000 today, the opening of four new or refurbished shopping centers is also bringing new jobs to the area, said Kathy Ward, economic development manager for the town of Sahuarita.
"We want to further diversify the community as we grow," said Ward, noting plans to bring higher-wage jobs to the town. "For now, people here are interested in (retail) jobs and we're seeing an impact already."
One of the big draws for job-seekers is Sahuarita's new Wal-Mart Supercenter. Amado resident Michael Amarillas hopes to get a job there while he establishes a graphic-design business.
"I see a lot of people coming in, looking for work," said Amarillas, 34, while applying for an overnight stocking position. "This is where people are coming for jobs."
Retail is first provider of services, jobs
Along Tucson's edges, new retail centers can bring jobs to communities where, previously there were none, said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research at the International Council of Shopping Centers, in New York.
"The way to think of retail is as a reinforcer of growth," Niemira said. "It's not a catalyst for growth. You need housing first. But retail outlets are the first provider of services and jobs in communities."
Often new shopping centers also can draw other commercial real estate developments and small businesses to communities, he said.
Niemira, who owns a seasonal home on the Northwest Side, said La Encantada shopping center is an example of a large retail development drawing other offices and shopping centers now locating along East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue.
With changing town demographics, retail centers also can expect to see an influx of potential workers.
In Oro Valley, where most of the residents were retirees, more young families and working professionals are moving to the town, said Dankwerth, the Oro Valley councilwoman.
"It's an exciting opportunity for citizens, and for retailers to expand and offer new jobs in the area," she said.
Though retail jobs are typically low-paying, they can help those who are looking for work experience, and they still can mean an improved wage for those who apply.
"Most of the students we're sending out there make about $6 and $7 an hour," said Claudette Welch, career and technical education director for Sahuarita Unified School District.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average retail hourly wage in Tucson at $9.14.
Students eager for jobs
With 432 Sahuarita students taking Career and Technical Education classes, Welch sees more job opportunities for students with the developing retail centers.
"It's an awesome first step. Students learn how to interview, how to serve the public, responsibility and communication," Welch said. "Students are eager to fill those jobs."
The opening of the new Sahuarita Wal-Mart Supercenter, 18680 S. Nogales Highway, is also giving people in the region more opportunities, said Sally Mecham, an assistant manager there.
The 188,000-square-foot Supercenter replaced an older Wal-Mart in the town in January, bringing 220 new associate jobs, most of them part-time, Mecham said.
"We are seeing a lot of people from other communities, like Vail and areas south of Tucson, coming to work here," Mecham said.
Job applicant Amarillas is hoping to land a full-time gig, joining his wife, Estela, as a Wal-Mart worker.
Though a report by the Institute for Policy Studies said most Wal-Mart workers make an average of $16,202 a year, Amarillas is hopeful.
"It'll happen, and the job will help," he said.
● Safeway center
Location: southeast corner of Duval Mine Road and La Cañada Drive.
Scheduled to open in the next two to three months
● Old K-Mart center
Location: northwest corner of 1-19 and Duval Mine Road.
A home-furnishings store will move into the old site.
● Sahuarita Plaza
Location: north of Abrego Drive and South Nogales Highway.
Home to a Bashas' grocery store. Owners of the plaza are looking for a national chain to take over the 71,000-square-foot site formerly occupied by Wal-Mart.
● Madera Marketplace
Location: East of Sahuarita Plaza, northwest corner of Nogales Highway and Calle Arroyo Sur.
Anchored by the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
● An unnamed property owned by Whirlygig developers
Location: South of Nogales Highway — across the street from Wal-Mart.
Whirlygig purchased 19 acres to develop into a shopping center, with groundbreaking scheduled for next year.
● Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace
Location: Northeast of I-19 and Sahuarita Road.
The developers of Rancho Sahuarita are finalizing details for a 104,000-square-foot grocery store. The remaining 91,000 square feet of land will be used for small businesses and restaurants.
● Oracle Crossings
Location: North Oracle Road and Suffolk Hills Drive.
Anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market. Other retailers to open include Kohl's, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Pacific Pools and Spas, Peter Piper Pizza, It's a Grind Coffee House.
● Entrada de Oro
Location: North Oracle and West Magee roads.
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, a grocery store, will anchor the refurbished 15-acre retail plaza. Opens mid-2006.
● Steam Pump Village
Location: North Oracle Road north of La Reserve Drive.
Opens in early 2006. The first phase will include Steinway Piano Gallery, and a Chili's Grill & Bar. Plans at the center include a 400-seat outdoor performance center and a 100-seat indoor recital area.
● Oro Valley Town Center
Location: West of North Oracle Road at North First Avenue.
A conceptual shopping center being proposed by Cañada del Oro Partners.
● Oro Valley Marketplace
Location: South of Tangerine Road along North Oracle Road
Planned as a "power center," the 860,000-square-foot project by Phoenix-based Vestar, will go to voters in a town referendum March 14. If approved, Oro Valley Marketplace would be the largest retail development in Oro Valley. Besides shopping, it is to include a police substation and a riparian habitat as part of the center.