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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A BJ’s Wholesale Club is in the planning stages to be located at the upcoming District 31 development in the city of Alabaster.

BJ’s Wholesale Club No. 241 is tentatively planned to be located off Interstate 65 Exit 238 and Highway 31 in the District 31 development. Permits for the project have been issued through the state. According to records pertaining to the project, “the developer shall construct a BJ’S Wholesale Club Building, gas station, propane island and related parking.”

Once fully permitted and approved, BJ’s Wholesale Club will mark one of several businesses planned for the District 31 development, which was previously announced to bring 600,000 square feet of new retail, restaurants and hotel space to the city in a $242 million investment.

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a membership-only warehouse club chain that originated in Marlborough, Massachusetts and offers an assortment of fresh foods, produce, a full-service deli, household essentials and gas. The chain also offers various household amenities such as technology, home décor, small appliances, apparel, seasonal items and more.

“BJ’s Wholesale Club is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs focused on delivering significant value to our members and serving a shared purpose: ‘We take care of the families who depend on us,’ read an official description of the business on its website. “The company offers up to 25 percent savings on a representative basket of manufacturer-branded groceries compared to traditional supermarket competitors.”

The development of District 31 and the Shoppes at District 31 is overseen by Alumni Properties, which is also affiliated with the development of a BJ’s Wholesale Club location off U.S. 280 at 5412 Valleydale Road.

District 31 and the adjoining Shoppes at District 31 in Alabaster are set to bring a total of nearly 75 new businesses to the city. The first phase of the project is currently in progress off U.S. 31 as crews work to construct the Shoppes at District 31, which will house a Chipotle, Cava, First Watch, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and more. City Administrator Brian Binzer previously shared that several businesses are aiming to open at the Shoppes at District 31 by the end of 2025, with others likely opening at the start of 2026.

Once fully completed, District 31 will add to the city’s high visibility on the U.S. 31 and I-65 corridors and will create hundreds of new local jobs. District 31 is expected to generate an estimated $2.8 million per year in new city sales taxes and an estimated $1.4 million in new school sales taxes.