A Food Castle Is Coming to Clayton Township. The Supervisor Says the Plaza Could Be 75 Percent Full.

By Carrie Thompson, Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent, eXp Realty, Grand Blanc, MI

Food Castle, the grocery store at Grand Blanc Road and Dort Highway in Grand Blanc Township, plans to open a store in the former Rite Aid building at Miller and Seymour roads in Clayton Township, in the plaza once known as Hamady Plaza (WCRZ, May 6, 2026). Clayton Township Supervisor Ted Henry said the plaza could be at least 75 percent occupied by the end of 2026, "which is really great" (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026). No opening date has been announced.

A grocery store, a gas station and a Kids Castle are planned for the plaza

Genesee County View reported in January that the Food Castle store would come with a new gas station built on part of the current parking lot. A Kids Castle is planned for the old Kroger store on the east side of the plaza (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

"There is quite a bit of space there," Henry said of the Kids Castle site. "It will be quite large." The play space will be patterned after the Kids Castle in Grand Blanc Township, with games, food and space for birthday parties, according to the same report (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

The owners of Sisters Vin-tique Antiques & Collectibles were also set to move into a unit at the plaza from their location in Birch Run, Henry said. Gordon Food Service's corporate offices, The Draft Sports Bar & Grill and Family Dollar are already in the plaza (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

A new owner changed the plaza's direction

Henry said the recent sale of the plaza to the owner of Food Castle sparked the interest. "He bought it from the people in New York who refused to work with us," Henry said. "We put pressure on them to bring it up to code and that could have lured them into selling it" (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026). The report said township officials had talked with other developers interested in space at the plaza, but no permits had been filed at that time.

The timeline is still open

In May, WCRZ reported that the store is going to have a Marathon station like the Grand Blanc store, and that "Construction on the gas station alone will require special permits, then licensing after inspections." Citing Food Castle employees, WCRZ reported the company plans to finish Billy Bob's Market on Dort Highway before turning to the Clayton Township store (WCRZ, May 6, 2026).

WCRZ noted Food Castle was formerly located at Linden and Reid roads, where Linden Market Place is now (WCRZ, May 6, 2026).

Other businesses are moving in along M-13 and Corunna Road

The plaza is not the only activity. Genesee County View reported that Crowe Real Estate and Auction Service of Owosso bought the old Kubota dealership and former Michigan Glove and Safety on M-13. Sherman Heating & Cooling moved to the M-13 and Corunna Road area last year, A+ Self Storage continues to expand at the former Krupps Novelty Shop location, and Pride Dumpsters bought property at Corunna and Old Corunna roads (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

Henry also said the owners of West Flint Animal Hospital are "possibly going to demo the house behind" the office, build a new office, and turn the existing one into emergency animal care. "This is a project that's still in the process, something they're pursuing," he said (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

The township added $400,000 for roads in 2026

"For 2026, the budget was raised by the township and approved at the last budget hearing to add $400,000 in road funding," Henry said. Part of the money will go toward the township's match for some roundabout projects over the next couple of years. "There's a new roundabout going in at Beecher and Elms," he said. "In 2027, there's a roundabout planned for Elms and Lennon, and they're looking at a roundabout at Lennon and Seymour" (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

The Genesee County Road Commission closed the Elms Road and Beecher Road intersection to all traffic starting Monday, April 13, 2026, with reopening expected at the end of June, weather permitting. The posted detour used Morrish, Corunna, Linden, Beecher and River roads (Genesee County Road Commission, April 6, 2026). The road commission's notice lists the project in Clayton Township. ABC12 described the same intersection as in Flint Township and called it a $1.6 million project funded by the state and the road commission (ABC12, 2025).

Some of the funding will also go toward a new culvert. "The one that's there is about to be condemned," Henry said. The township plans the work for summer 2027, and its share, about $187,000, is approved. Other planned roadwork includes repaving Old Corunna Road, paving Van Vleet Road from Miller Road south to the I-69 crossing, and repaving part of Lennon Road between Van Vleet and Duffield roads (Genesee County View, Jan. 8, 2026).

What buyers and sellers in Clayton Township should check

If you are buying near Miller and Seymour roads, keep in mind the Food Castle, gas station and Kids Castle are announced plans without opening dates, so check the township's planning commission packets for site plans and permits. If you are buying or selling near Elms, Lennon or Seymour roads, look up the Genesee County Road Commission's notices for roundabout schedules and closures before a showing or a move date. Sellers near the plaza can mention the announced tenants, described as planned, not open.

Every listing I take gets professional photos and video, room sizes, targeted digital ads, and targeted buyer avatars. Call or text Carrie Thompson at (810) 893-3269.

About Carrie Thompson

Carrie Thompson, "Your Favorite Property Girl," is a Strategic Marketing Real Estate Agent (REALTOR®) with eXp Realty serving Grand Blanc, Genesee County and nearby Michigan communities, including Clayton Township, Swartz Creek, Flint Township, Flushing and Gaines. Michigan license 6501338662. Call or text (810) 893-3269.