Paragould, AR – Contributed – Haag Brown announced that Panda Express is coming to Paragould.
The nationally recognized restaurant will occupy the former Starbucks location along West Kingshighway, continuing the transformation of one of Paragould’s most visible commercial properties.
The announcement marks the latest chapter in a redevelopment project that Haag Brown has been involved with for several years.
The property was formerly home to Mitchell Funeral Home before Haag Brown acquired the site with a vision for redevelopment. After exploring multiple development opportunities, the company ultimately brought Starbucks and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to the property. Haag Brown also acquired the adjacent Quicklube property to improve access to the development and the nearby signalized intersection.
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When Starbucks later made the decision to close its Paragould location, Haag Brown was faced with an unexpected challenge: finding a new use for a highly visible building that had been developed specifically for a national tenant and was expected to remain occupied for years to come.
“Losing a long-term client with years remaining on their lease is not something that is supposed to happen, and there’s no question it created a significant challenge,” said Joshua Brown, Principal at Haag Brown. “But challenges like this are where you have to be willing to innovate, adapt and execute. Our goal wasn’t simply to fill a vacant building. We wanted to find the right opportunity, one that would bring new investment to Paragould and continue making a positive impact on the community. To transition this property from one national brand to another in such a short period of time is something our entire team is extremely proud of.”
Haag Brown’s brokerage team immediately began pursuing potential users for the property, generating interest from both local and national restaurant concepts. Executive Broker Zac Qualls led the effort on behalf of Haag Brown, working directly through the negotiations that ultimately secured Panda Express for the location.
“This was a unique assignment because we knew how important this property is to the overall retail corridor and how visible it is within the community,” Qualls said. “There was significant interest in the space, which gave us the opportunity to be intentional about finding the right fit. Panda Express is a nationally recognized brand that we believe will be a great addition to Paragould, and we’re excited to have played a role in bringing them to this location.”
The addition of Panda Express represents another new investment in Paragould and continues the evolution of a property that has undergone significant transformation over the years.
From its longtime use as Mitchell Funeral Home to its redevelopment for national restaurant brands, the site has continually adapted alongside the growth of the Paragould community. What could have resulted in a prominent vacancy along one of the city’s primary commercial corridors instead became an opportunity to introduce a new restaurant concept to the market and bring new life to the existing space.
For Haag Brown, the project reflects the company’s broader approach to commercial real estate and development: remaining innovative when circumstances change, finding solutions to complex real estate challenges and pursuing opportunities that create long-term value for the communities it serves.
Haag Brown is proud to welcome Panda Express to Paragould and looks forward to seeing the restaurant become the newest chapter in the continued evolution of the West Kingshighway property.
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