The state's first Corner Bakery will be a freestanding buildingat Lakeland Drive and Old Fannin Road at the entrance of theDogwood Festival Shopping Center, which is under construction. Thecenter's tenant roster includes JCPenney, Bed Bath and Beyond,Circuit City, Old Navy and PetsMart. "This is a good, high-profilecenter and we're pleased to be opening in such a location," saysP.J. Evans, Corner Bakery's vice president of franchisedevelopment.

Evans tells GlobeSt.com that Mississippi was targeted as anopportunity for expansion because of the lack of competition. Headds that Flowood was selected for the first restaurant because theJackson, MS suburb is fast becoming a magnet for retailers. "Forsome of the retail stores, Flowood is their only Mississippipresence," Evans says.

Evans says the Flowood store is a different strategy from CornerBakery Cafe's usual end-cap locations in strip centers."Franchisees come to us with different motivations and interest,"he says. "In this case, he's interested in buying the dirt anddeveloping."