New Hudson's opens today

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Jan. 16, 2003
While one Meridian discount retailer plans its departure, another has opened in a new location on North Frontage Road.
Hudson's Treasure Hunt and its sister store, Dirt Cheap, opened for business today in the old Service Merchandise building nearly three weeks after closing its Value Fair Mall store.
The opening comes two days after the announcement that the nearby K-Mart will close this spring.
Hudson's Treasure Hunt first opened in Meridian about five years ago. It is one of about 30 stores in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana owned by Hudson's Salvage Inc.
Two other stores have opened in nearby Butler, Ala., and Quitman.
Hudson's move across the Sowashee Creek from Value Fair Mall was made after corporate officials were unable to rework a lease contract with Paul Broadhead who also owns the Service Merchandise building.
About 50 employees of Hudson's and Dirt Cheap have spent the past few days cleaning, stocking the store, pricing the merchandise and hanging signs all in preparation for the opening.
Meanwhile, anxious customers have been stopping at the store thinking it was open.
Gladys Brooks was traveling home to Louisiana on Interstate 20/59 Wednesday when she saw the stores from the interstate and decided to stop.
Besides the extra space that the two new Hudson's stores will offer, Mayfield said both will have "a lot of new merchandise."