A string of stores for savvy shoppers will soon be surfacing in a new shopping center in South Meridian.

Charlie Trotman, owner of The Trotman Co., said Tuesday that his firm is developing plans for Meridian Crossroads, a shopping center to be located near Bonita Lakes Mall off Highway 19 South where K-mart once stood. While Trotman would not reveal details about the project, he said the Montgomery, Ala.-based company is eager to develop in Meridian.

“We feel like it is a good location. Meridian is an isolated market and serves a big trade area,” Trotman said.

“Meridian is a town that, I think, a lot of people in surrounding areas come to do their business, and I like the access from the interstate and the surrounding arteries.”

Trotman said residents can expect an official announcement about the shopping in the coming weeks.

The site will house approximately 30 tenants across 375,000 square feet.

Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith also would not reveal specific tenants but said residents can expect something new.

“It is proposed to include retailers in this mix that are not currently in the market in Meridian,” Smith said.

Smith said the site is one of two large retail sites being developed in Meridian, the second being the old Value Fair Mall on 22nd Avenue.

“Meridian has been a market that has been overlooked for years, and that is all starting to change,” Smith said.

Smith said sales tax revenue has increased nearly 50 percent since Bonita Lakes Mall opened in 1998. Such revenue helps the city hire police officers and buy fire trucks.

As for Value Fair Mall, Smith said the city is in talks with a developer.

“The city is working feverishly to secure retail commitments for that property,” Smith said.