Chiefland businessman Stoney Smith said he looks forward to doing business in Bronson. He believes there is enough business for everyone in the Bronson market.
By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
A major commercial development project is coming to Bronson at the only traffic light in town.
Chiefland businessman Stoney Smith said Friday he is awaiting a building permit from the town to construct a 24-hour convenience store and Marathon gas station, package store and Hardees restaurant at the intersection of U.S. 27A and State Road 24.
“I anticipate talking to the building inspector to see if he has any issues. After we get started, it’s three months building time,” Smith said.
The new development will replace McKenzie’s 4-Corners Bar. It will face one of the busiest intersections in the county. Heavy traffic comes from all four directions through Bronson.
Bronson Town Council members on Monday unanimously approved a zoning change from residential to commercial for two back lots of the property. The council is supporting the project.
Town Councilman Robert Partin said the Smith family has made a considerable investment in the property already. He said the new development will improve the looks of the town’s northern highway entrance.
“One thing it’s going to do; it’s going to take away that eyesore when you come into town from Chiefland, Otter Creek, Gainesville and even Williston,” Partin said. “It’s just one eyesore. The best day will come when a bulldozer runs right through the middle of that thing. I’m excited about it.”
Smith told council members 80 employees will operate the facility. The development will have entrances on State Road 24 and U.S. 27A. It will be well lighted at night for the safety of the public and employees.
The facility will sell E-85 gas, a standard ethanol blend, as well as non-ethanol marine gas for boats, diesel fuel, DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) to make large diesel engines run cleaner and emit less greenhouse gases. It will have a boat washing facility on site and an electric recharge station for battery operated vehicles. Cars will buy gas up front and large diesel trucks can fuel along SR 24.
“We’ll have some things that a lot of places don’t have in the area,” Smith said. “I think you see the need for food over there and food that’s maybe consistent and hopefully after this COVID, people will go back to sitting down to eat.”
The Hardees will be the first large chain restaurant in Bronson. It offers a good breakfast menu, Smith said, as well as tasty chicken fingers and burgers.
Smith said Dottie McKenzie, the owner of McKenzie’s 4-Corners, has been a fixture in the Bronson community, but she is getting up in years, perhaps mid-80’s and keeping the bar open wasn’t in her future.
“I think in her grand plan, she didn’t have anyone to give it to. I think there’s definitely an opportunity in Bronson to do some business. It’s going to be a better look for Bronson from the north and from Gainesville. When you round the corner on U.S. 27A at the Trenton turn off and come around the curve three miles out, you’ll see our facility. We’ll be facing into the corner. We’ll be facing both ways – 27 and 24,” Smith said.
“We’re going to be lighting it up. I’ll be clean. I won’t necessarily say you can eat in the bathrooms, but it will be clean enough you could, and then, of course, it will be open 24 hours,” he said.
Partin said he talks to Smith every week. He said Smith has already spent a million and a half dollars on the project at the traffic light. He said the project will happen.
—————
Town of Bronson Regular Meeting November 9, 2020; Posted November 13, 2020
