Kohl's eyeing old Walmart store

Kohl's soon may have a third location in metro Charleston.

City Planning Director Tim Keane said developers have had discussions with the city about putting a new shop for the retailer in the former Walmart in Ashley Crossing Shopping Center off Glenn McConnell Parkway in West Ashley.

Developers Diversified Realty has a lease deal pending for the 69,000-square-foot vacancy, according to its website.

The new Kohl's would open in the fall of 2011 after some major property renovations, according to a person close to the project who is not authorized to speak publicly about the deal. Kohl's would not comment.

Keane said no design review plans have been submitted to the city. He estimates the review process would take about a month and the renovation would take about nine months.

Kohl's has two stores in the area, at The Market at Oakland in Mount Pleasant and Azalea Square in Summerville.

Workout wing

Planet Fitness, which opened in Citadel Mall earlier this year, will open in Northwoods Mall by early next year.

Owned by siblings Alex Choquette and Shelley Choquette, the 16,037-square-foot fitness center will be in the Belk wing near the entrance to the department store, according to mall spokeswoman Leigh Burnett.

Planet Fitness' arrival will require shuffling around four merchants within the mall to new locations. They include New Trends urban clothing, Uniform Land uniforms, Diamond District fine jewelry and Cousins Cove bridal and formal wear. The center will also encompass a vacant space once held by Dollar Star. It closed in March. The 24-hour fitness center will require major renovation to that section of the mall.

In the know? Do you know of a business that is opening, closing or expanding? Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.