VIDEO: Red Kap Building is Under New Management

MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been over a decade since the Red Kap building in Mathiston closed its doors, leaving an eye sore for the community.

However, a successful Starkville business looks to move into the new building.

Gun Dog Supply has been a part of Starkville for over 40 years.

Their success as an internet retail company has them looking for a place to expand, and the empty Red Kap building fits what they are looking for.

Because of this move, new life will be brought to both the facility and Mathiston thanks to the local company.

“They’re going to see an immediate impact from having more employees here on a daily basis, through sales tax revenues and also through the property taxes that this property has,” said Webster and Choctaw County economic developer, Lara Bowman.

The internet retail company, Gun Dog Supply, has had constant growth over its 40 year history, and their current space almost can’t handle it.

“We’ve outgrown it. We’re literally crammed in here right now, so we moved on the building in Mathiston because it was a larger building,” said Gun Dog HR Supervisor, Michael Freed.

This move to Mathiston is one of several the area has been seeing over the years.

“They’re seeing the competitive advantages of locating into Webster County, and that is something we certainly want to share. We’re very proud that someone from this region has also seen the advantages of doing business here in Webster County,” said Bowman.

Store supervisors are not sure how much of an impact this move will have, but they hope to help fill the shoes left by Red Kap.

“There were a lot of people employed in that industry, and a lot of folks lost their jobs in Webster County. You know, we’re hoping, although we’re not the same size employer as Red Kap, we’re hopefully going to be able to expand and grow there and replace some of the loss that they experienced over the years,” said Freed.

Lack of maintenance has left the building in poor shape.

It will take some time to fix up, but Gun Dog sees the potential and is anxious for the transition.

“If it could happen tomorrow, it’d be perfect. But we’re going to do it right, and we’re looking forward to working there and working with the county and the folks in Webster County and Mathiston,” said Freed.

The renovations are in progress and are looking to be done towards the beginning of next year.

Gun Dog is looking to make their move to Mathiston in the Spring.