GAINESVILLE — Retail development continues to move forward in neighboring Hall County, particularly at North Lake Square on Dawsonville Highway.

The new shopping center’s first opening was Hobby Lobby in October, followed by Academy Sports + Outdoors in November.
A HomeGoods is set to open in the summer, as well as Burlington and Five Below.

Food is also among the offerings at North Lake Square, as a Chipotle opened its doors in January and a Jersey Mike’s is on the way this spring.

“We’re very pleased that the project has exceeded our expectations in terms of leasing,” said Tim Knight, developer for North Lake Square.

More leases are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Knight said both Academy and Hobby Lobby had “great” Christmas shopping seasons.

The 55,000-square-foot Hobby Lobby is the craft and home décor store’s 35th location in Georgia.

Academy Sports + Outdoors occupies a 62,000-square-foot space.

HomeGoods will be in 20,000 square feet and bills itself as “an off-price retailer” featuring home furnishings such as furniture, rugs, china, linens and more.

The store is owned by TJX Companies, which also owns apparel and home fashion stores T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

Burlington is slated for 40,000 square feet. The company has evolved from the original Burlington Coat Factory, according to its website, “into a one-stop shopping experience” offering men’s and women’s clothing and accessories as well as baby, youth and linen departments.

Five Below will occupy 8,000 square feet in the shopping center. Five Below’s merchandise, naturally, is all $5 or cheaper and includes “cellphone cases and chargers, remote control cars, yoga pants, graphic tees, nail polish, footballs and soccer balls, tons of candy and seasonal must-haves for Easter, Halloween, Christmas and more,” according to its website.

Five Below is geared toward teens, pre-teens and parents, and its stores are “vibrant, colorful and high-energy,” according to its website.