Carefree lands 'first-rate specialty grocer' - ABC15 Arizona

Carefree Moves Closer to Second Grocery Store

Nestled among mountain vistas and hills dotted with saguaro cacti, the desert town of Carefree is moving closer to welcoming its second grocery store.

Scottsdale-based developer SimonCRE is working alongside the town to construct a 120,000-square-foot retail project named Craig’s Crossing, according to abc15.com. The development is planned for the far southwestern side of Carefree, positioned specifically off Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway.

Town Council Approves Tax Incentive Agreement

The Town of Carefree took a decisive step forward on October 22 during a special meeting. Officials voted 6-1 in favor of adopting a notice of intent to enter into a retail development tax incentive agreement for Craig’s Crossing.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the town would offer up to $11.6 million in financial incentives. These funds are designed to help developer SimonCRE cover public infrastructure costs associated with the project.

Partnerships Drive the Retail Expansion

While SimonCRE handles the construction framework, ownership of the underlying land belongs to the Empire Group of Companies. Meanwhile, leasing operations for the retail space are being managed by Western Retail Advisors.

Addressing Longstanding Community Needs

The addition of Craig’s Crossing marks a notable shift for the small desert community north of Phoenix, which has historically operated with limited local grocery options.

Town officials and developers have not yet announced an official groundbreaking date or a finalized construction timeline, leaving the exact opening schedule for the new retail center open as local talks progress.

Worth a look