AutoZone to build fifth Manatee store near DeSoto Mall

BRADENTON -- AutoZone, a Tennesee-based auto parts and supplies retailer, plans to build its newest Manatee County store about a block east of the DeSoto Square Mall.

The company filed a final site plan with Manatee County this week for a 7,381-square-foot store. To be built at 3520 First Street W., the store would be the fifth Auto Zone in the county.

The new location would split the difference between two stores located in or near the State Road 70 corridor and two stores in Palmetto and West Bradenton. It would be built on a narrow vacant lot located between a Days Inn and an Arby's restaurant.

AutoZone officials did not immediately respond to a request for information about the store's opening date.

The 1.5 acre site for the proposed store is owned by a Bradenton company managed by attorneys Damian Ozark and Andre Perron. AutoZone is listed as the store's owner and developer.

If built, the new store will be somewhat larger than the average size operated by the auto parts chain. According to figures submitted with its 2014 annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the average AutoZone measures just under 6,600 square feet.

Founded in 1979 in Arkansas as Auto Shack, publicly traded AutoZone has now operates more than 5,390 stores in 48 states, Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico. More than 260 of those stores are in Florida. The company employs approximately 65,000 people, according its SEC filing.

The company's net sales in 2014 were $9.48 billion.

Auto Zone's new store increases competition in the auto parts retail sector along South Tamiami Trail. In 2014, O'Reilly Auto Parts opened a 10,000-square-foot retail store and warehouse just a few blocks to the north at 2805 First Street E.

Matt M. Johnson, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7027 or on Twitter@MattAtBradenton.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "AutoZone to build fifth Manatee store near DeSoto Mall ."