TILTON — The shelves at an empty supermarket building will be stocked once again after being selected as the site for a new County Market in Vermilion County.

Indiana-based Covington Foods announced Thursday the Southgate Plaza Eagle supermarket building — vacant since it closed in 2003 after 25 years — will be the site of the third County Market in Vermilion County. The other sites are at 2 E. Main St. and 2917 N. Vermilion St.

Covington Foods Vice President Gary Peacock said the company has looked at

the area as the site of a new supermarket off and on in recent years.

He said “positive things,” including retail development and job creation in the county, prompted Covington Foods to make the move to start another County Market.

The former Eagle location was the only site considered because of the existing building.

Lisa Fudge, director of human resources for Covington Foods, said the company is “excited to be part of the expansion in Vermilion County.”

Currently, the new County Market is expected to open in late spring or early summer. Peacock said the opening could come in May or June.

The 35,000-square-foot building will receive a complete interior remodeling, including new energy efficient equipment. Covington Foods said improvements also will be made to the exterior of the mall as well as the parking lot during the next several months.

The new store is expected to add between 60 and 75 full- and part-time jobs to the Tilton area.

The Village of Tilton celebrated Thursday’s announcement by placing a welcoming message for the store on a message board at the village offices.

Tilton Mayor David Phillips said Covington Foods first visited about three years ago.

The location was receiving attention from companies in other parts of Illinois, he said, when Covington Foods made its decision.

“I’m glad this came together,” he said, noting it’s all about convenience for residents. “We’ve needed a grocery store forever.”

Covington Foods, according to Phillips, purchased the entire Southgate complex, putting the company in charge of renters at the complex. Other stores already in the complex are AutoZone, Family Dollar, Green Jade restaurant and a branch of Old National Bank. A Monical’s Pizza restaurant is located separately on the lot.

To assist the County Market project, Phillips said the village of Tilton was putting forward tax increment financing funds at a maximum of $600,000 during 15 years.

In a press release, the company said it hopes the store will fill the needs of Tilton residents and residents in southern Vermilion County.

Peacock said Thursday he expects the new store to cater to more than just residents in the southern part of the county.

“In Vermilion County, it seems like a lot of people shop a lot of stores,” he said, noting he didn’t think the new store would steal business from the other County Markets. “I’m sure there will be cross shopping.”

The new supermarket already faces competition from local grocery stores in Westville, Georgetown and Tilton.

Peacock noted that improvements are planned for the Towne Centre County Market after the newest location is finished. The Village Mall County Market received improvements last year.

Company officials are looking at the building to determine the size of different departments and what will be offered in the store. No final decisions have been made.

Peacock said the company plans to get out into the community.

“We want to talk to people in the area and find out their needs and how best we can serve them,” he said.