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VIDOR — Local businessman Joe Aref has a new project in the works that could ultimately bring more business and tax dollars to Vidor.

The Joe Aref Investment Development Group recently purchased the former Brookshire Brothers site on North Main Street. The 40,000 square foot building had been vacant since late August. Aref plans to modernize the building and is in talks with national retailers in the hopes of bringing them to the building. 

Aref said there has been interest but he cannot disclose details until it is official. 

“This property is similar to La Vaquita in Port Arthur that I purchased in 2019 so I am familiar with this type of development,” Aref said.

The Port Arthur development was a large undertaking. The 50,000 square foot site was a former grocery store that had been vacant for 20 years. 

Aref also owns the former Mid Jefferson Hospital in Nederland and has received interest in the property.

But the Vidor development will not be a grocery store, he said.

In addition to the project to modernize and remodel the building Aref is also in talks with a couple of quick serve restaurants for the front pads in the parking lot.

Earlier this week Aref met with Vidor City Manager Robbie Hood and Mayor Misty Songe. 

“We are very excited to have a local developer step up so quickly to turn the vacant building into new options for our area,” Songe said. “We’re even more excited that he’s chosen to invest in Vidor for the first time.”

Aref is also excited about the future and working with Vidor.

“This is the type of business to want to do business with,” he said, adding the project is made easier when the parties work together.