MARION (WSIL) -- Construction has begun for the next phase of the Marion Mall Project.
Anderson's Warehouse Furniture is expanding their store, by remodeling 50-thousand square feet of the mall.
"Really looking forward to refurbishing it and making our expansion to be the biggest furniture store in Southern Illinois by far," said Anderson's owner Lowell Anderson.
The expansion is in collaboration with Marion Black Diamond Harley Davidson, the owners of the mall, who are optimistic about the new expansion.
"This growth just shows what's possible here in our region. Even dealing with the challenges we're all dealing with," said Rodney Cabaness, co-owner of the Marion mall.
Anderson said the impact Black Diamond has on the community is what made him want to work with the company.
"We just know with everything that Black Diamond is doing. Everything they do seems to work out good for the community so we wanted definitely be part of that to help out the community, because the community has been so good to us," Anderson said.
Anderson said that he hopes the expansion will help encourage more business in the area and help bring in more jobs.
"Hopefully it'll help create us some more jobs in this area. It'll draw more people to this area to see that we're successful and everything that is being built up around the mall," Anderson said.
The owners of the mall think this expansion bodes well for future business that come to the Marion area.
"So now for him to be able to expand, its inspiring for all of us. It's good news for the entire region," Cabaness said.
Anderson is also optimistic for the future.
"In the next five years, you won't even know this area," Anderson said.
The expansion is expected to take a couple months.
Another mall project, the drive-in theatre, is set to open in October.
