If the city center of Salon-de-Provence saw many small businesses close their doors recently, others large area premises are unoccupied for many months. The former Pizza Del'Arte, Place Morgan, has finally seen the beginnings of a revival with the opening, on the ground floor of the brand Pizza Capri, coming from Aix-en-Provence. But the upstairs is still desperately empty. “We are studying the files with the owner. The priority is an activity linked to leisure and entertainment”, indicates the mayor, Nicolas Isnard.
The Place Morgan Tourist Office will migrate to Place Général de Gaulle. The premises will be divided in two and will be occupied “by two restaurant brands: a sure value and an innovative concept”. Subject of long-term discussion and object of all attention, the old Club and Arcades cinemasat the start of the Craponne alleys. Condemned, the premises offer a sad image, dirty and degraded in a busy place.
“Breaking the lock on the alleys of Craponne”
“Unfortunately, in this space, I am not optimistic for the momentindicates the mayor. The premises belong to a private person, we speak with him regularly, but there is still no solution. And yet there was multiple contenders in the restaurant and hotel sectors. Afterwards, for the owner, it is a question of choice and price. There is significant work to be undertaken to install one or more activities there and the rents charged are very high. It's a shame, there is potential. And I make no secret of the fact that the issue is important for the commercial future of the city. Installing an attractive activity would allow us to break the barrier to the alleys of Craponne.”.
Nicolas Isnard has often insisted that the city would develop commercially by reclaiming these famous alleys. “The idea is that the paths will one day be an extension of the Gimon course“.
And for the mayor of Salon-de-Provencethis reconquest has already begun. “Great activities have emerged such as the Pasta Moules restaurant, and recently the Chez Gisèle restaurant. Crédit Mutuel is going to get a makeover, and Acadomia (academic support and private lessons) will occupy the entire ground floor of the new Stud'Allées student residence.
The Zeeman brand will open in February 2025
Another recent commercial space which was waiting to be completed at Place Morgan, the ground floor of Cinéplanet over 400 m2. “Bioburger opened, as well as a arcade games room“, recalls the mayor.
On the Avenue de Wertheim side, after the opening of the Ange bakery, Zeeman brand (clothing and household linens) will open next door in February 2025. Work will begin on 1is December. “It’s a great new start for this space of the former Sodim. More than 1,000 m2 hadn't been used for years. The owner agreed to move the files forward. Today we have Ange and tomorrow Zeeman. Proof of success,Ange bakery has 800 customers per day since its opening.
Casino has become Intermarché in Salon-de-Provence
The former HyperFrais Casino has become Intermarché.
Outside the city, two large spaces have undergone or are undergoing major changes. The first is theCasino hypermarketavenue du 22August 1944, which has become for a few weeks Intermarché.
“I would like to welcome this recovery for an emblematic space, confides the mayor of Salon-de-Provence Nicolas Isnard. The place is starting again on new bases and I have the satisfaction of knowing that all the jobs have been retained. Better, 20 jobs were createdincluding the recruitment of cashiers. The new manager is very determined and I know that major work is planned in the coming months. It's very positive. I am often asked if it is relevant to have two Intermarché stores in the city (the other is located on Boulevard de la Reine Jeanne). I think the two are not the same size and are intended to complement each other. Salon is not the only city to have two Intermarché brands.
Other peripheral activity location currently evolving: the old Palma garage on the D113 towards Lançon-Provence. “The work has dragged on a little but it is progressing,” explains the chief magistrate. The space will be dedicated to automobiles (tires, windshields, vehicle rentals, etc.) and will include six rented commercial cells. We will thus remain consistent with the dealerships located nearby. Delivery is estimated in the first quarter of 2025.
