Longtime Huntsville developer Leeland Ventures is bringing something sweet to Hampton Cove.

TJ Lee: “This project is especially close to my heart because I have lived in Hampton Cove for 25 to 30 years.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

The company broke ground this week on a $3.8 million retail center anchored by North Alabama’s 11th, and Hampton Cove’s first, Dunkin’ Donuts.

Across U.S. 431 from Lowe’s Home Improvement, the 10,000 square-foot Leeland Plaza will also be home to Champs Cuts family barbershop and hair salon; Asian Express- and a national physical therapy practice.

At full capacity, the retail center is expected to create up to 75 jobs.

“This project is especially close to my heart because I have lived in Hampton Cove for 25 to 30 years,” said Leeland Ventures CEO T.J. Lee. “It gives me a lot of pleasure to offer the community this economic opportunity.

“This project is unlike anything else in Hampton Cove. It will be a stunning and beautiful building and we have been fortunate to have it almost fully leased before we turn the first blade of grass. That is a testimony not just of the architecture and the location, but to the economic activity and pro-growth policies of County Commissioner Craig Hill (District 3) and Mayor (Tommy) Battle’s office. We are so thankful for that.”

Fite Building Co. of Decatur is the general contractor and the project is financed by First National Bank.

“This is a unique project too because of all the preliminary work that goes into a site like this with Hampton Cove being a Huntsville greenway,” said Lee. “I would like to thank Schoel Engineering for helping us do all the things we need to do before we can turn a single shovel of dirt.’

Leeland Ventures has been developing commercial and educational properties across Madison County for more than 25 years. Recent projects include the 24,000 square-foot Ardent Preschool and Daycare at Redstone Gateway; the 15,000 square-foot Ardent Preschool and Daycare in the Lendon community off Four Mile Post Road in Huntsville; and the $6 million Slim Chickens investment at Town Madison and Clift Farms in Madison.

Lee said he has other projects going on around town they expect to be announcing in the coming weeks. Leeland is doing nearly $10 million worth of building projects with FNB and will be working with Fite and FNB again in the weeks ahead.

The groundbreaking was held for Leeland Plaza, home of Hampton Cove’s first Dunkin’ Donuts; Champ Cuts family barbershop and hair salon; Asian Express Chinese cuisine and sushi; and a national physical therapy practice. (Photo/Steve Babin)

“We are excited about this spot because we have locations all over Huntsville and Madison, but to have a store here three miles from where I live is really special to me,” said Blake Robinson, owner of all 11 Dunkin’ Donuts stores in North Alabama. “We have been looking here (Hampton Cove) for two years and to see this come full circle and to be standing on this site right now is very exciting. I thank you, T.J. for making it happen.”

“In a community like Hampton Cove, we have plenty of nail salons, plenty of barbecue, and plenty of Mexican food, but we don’t have any barbershops – what happened to barbershops?” Lee said as he introduced Mike Antonio and Becky Hopkins, owners of Champ Cuts family hair salon and barbershop.

“They’re back,” said Hopkins, a national award-winning hair stylist of 15 years.

Champ Cuts will be a high-end family salon that serves men, women, and children in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.