Despite last month’s announcement, Bed Bath & Beyond will continue to operate at its current location in Meridian Crossroads shopping center. Meanwhile, discussions continue on how to better connect the Queen City’s retail areas and continue retail development.

Meridianites could see 2nd Street South — where it ends at the intersection of Virginia Street — extended eastbound to Bonita Lakes mall at some point in the future, giving quicker access between the plaza that contains Walmart and the mall. 

“One day we would like to see a road cut through from 2nd Street,” said Andy Weiner, president of Rockstep Capital, owner of Bonita Lakes mall and the 16 acres of land that separates the mall from the threeway intersection. “In addition to the road, we would like to develop the property for commercial use.”

Weiner said the road would split the site in half, offering eight acres of commercial land on either side.

City of Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Richie McAlister said the idea has been discussed, but no plans have been made.

“We are looking at all our options and looking at what the cost of that type of project would be for the city and Mr. Weiner,” McAlister said.

As for Bed Bath & Beyond, general manager Keith Lumpkin said the decision to stay open was made on Friday.

Lumpkin declined to comment further, and calls made to Bed Bath & Beyond’s corporate offices were not returned. Bed Bath & Beyond spokesperson Leah Drill told The Meridian Star last month that the store was closing because of an expiring lease term.

Local shoppers were also spared the closure of another major retailer, Sears.

Sears Holding Company on Jan. 4 said it plans to close more than 100 stores in March and April of this year.

Sixty-four of the stores will be Kmart locations and 39 will be Sears. The closures will be nationwide, but no Mississippi or Alabama stores are on the list.

The company announced last November it would shutter a total of 63 Sears and Kmart stores by late January. No Mississippi stores were on that list, but two in Alabama were: the Sears in Tuscaloosa and Kmart in Albertville.