Pensacola HVAC Company Buys Halls Mill Road Property to Expand to Mobile; Aldi, Golden Corral Among New Arrivals

MOBILE, Ala. — A Pensacola heating and air conditioning repair company is expanding west into Mobile after buying a 39,000-square-foot property on Halls Mill Road, one of several commercial real estate deals and business openings reported across Mobile and Baldwin counties last week.

The week’s activity ranged from an industrial property sale and a downtown Mobile land deal to a proposed short golf course in Gulf Shores, a new Aldi grocery store in Daphne and a Golden Corral buffet planned for Spanish Fort.

HVAC company buys Halls Mill Road property

C.S.S., LLC paid $850,000 for buildings totaling 39,000 square feet on 3 acres at 2260 Halls Mill Road in Mobile. Allan Cameron Jr. and Leigh Rendfrey of CRE Mobile represented the seller.

The buyer plans to use the property to expand its HVAC repair business from Pensacola, Florida, into Mobile.

Halls Mill Road runs through a commercial and light industrial corridor in west and south Mobile, with easy access to Interstate 10 and Interstate 65. That kind of location can appeal to service businesses that send trucks and technicians across a metro area every day. At roughly $21.80 per square foot of building space, the purchase also gives the company a large footprint for offices, equipment storage and vehicle parking.

Heating and cooling contractors are in steady demand on the Gulf Coast, where long, humid summers keep air conditioners running for much of the year. Storm seasons can add to that demand when systems are damaged by wind, flooding or power surges.

Downtown Mobile lot sells for $725,000

In downtown Mobile, a local investor paid $725,000 for an almost one-acre lot at 263 St. Joseph St. Josh W. Hall of CRE Mobile represented the seller, and Cameron Jr. of CRE Mobile worked for the buyer.

Plans for the property were not disclosed. Downtown land has drawn increased attention in recent years as Mobile has seen new residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects in and around the central business district.

Gulf Shores Golf Club proposes 9-hole short course

In Baldwin County, the owners of Gulf Shores Golf Club are seeking planning approval to build a 9-hole short golf course alongside the club’s existing facilities at 520 Clubhouse Drive in Gulf Shores, according to planning records.

Short courses, sometimes called par-3 or executive courses, have become popular across the golf industry. They take less time to play than a full 18-hole round, are friendlier to beginners and families, and can be a good fit for resort areas where visitors want a quick round. The proposal still needs to go through the city’s planning process.

Aldi opens new Daphne store

The Aldi supermarket chain has opened a new store at 30947 Mill Lane in Daphne. The store is one of several recently opened as part of the grocer’s plan to open 180 stores this year, according to Aldi’s website.

Aldi, a German multinational, family-owned discount grocery chain, plans to open stores in 31 states this year, with at least 80 of those openings in the Southeast. The company is known for a smaller store format, a heavy focus on its own store brands and a limited selection designed to keep prices low.

For Daphne shoppers, the new store adds another grocery option in one of Baldwin County’s fastest-growing areas along the Eastern Shore.

Golf cart dealer opens on the Eastern Shore

Cartiology Golf Cart Sales has opened in the Eastern Shore Centre off Alabama Highway 181 in Spanish Fort. The store sells custom and street-legal golf carts, low-speed vehicles, parts and accessories.

Golf carts and low-speed vehicles have become a common way to get around in many Baldwin County neighborhoods and beach communities. Street-legal models are equipped with features such as lights, turn signals, mirrors and seat belts so they can be driven on certain public roads where local rules allow.

Golden Corral coming to Spanish Fort

The Golden Corral Buffet & Grill plans to open next month at 30179 Eastern Shore Court in Spanish Fort, according to planning records. The family-friendly buffet chain will take over a renovated 11,000-square-foot restaurant building that was formerly home to Briquettes.

Reusing an existing restaurant building is a common move for chains entering a new market, since it can shorten construction time and take advantage of kitchen and dining space already in place.

Deals at a glance

• 2260 Halls Mill Road, Mobile: C.S.S., LLC bought 39,000 square feet of buildings on 3 acres for $850,000 to expand a Pensacola HVAC repair business. Seller represented by Allan Cameron Jr. and Leigh Rendfrey of CRE Mobile.
• 263 St. Joseph St., downtown Mobile: A local investor bought an almost one-acre lot for $725,000. Seller represented by Josh W. Hall; buyer represented by Allan Cameron Jr., both of CRE Mobile.
• 520 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores: Gulf Shores Golf Club owners seek planning approval for a 9-hole short course.
• 30947 Mill Lane, Daphne: New Aldi grocery store now open.
• Eastern Shore Centre, Spanish Fort: Cartiology Golf Cart Sales now open.
• 30179 Eastern Shore Court, Spanish Fort: Golden Corral Buffet & Grill planned to open next month in the former Briquettes building.

What it says about the local market

Taken together, last week’s activity shows continued interest in both sides of Mobile Bay. On the Mobile side, the Halls Mill Road sale reflects demand for practical commercial space for service businesses, while the St. Joseph Street sale shows investors are still buying downtown land. On the Eastern Shore and the coast, new retail, dining and recreation projects are following the steady population growth that Baldwin County has seen for years.

The arrival of a Pensacola company in Mobile also highlights how closely tied the two metro areas are. The roughly hour-long drive along Interstate 10 connects workers, customers and businesses across the Alabama-Florida state line, and companies that grow in one market often look to the other next.

South Alabama News will continue to track commercial real estate transactions, store openings and development proposals across Mobile and Baldwin counties.