Folks in Austintown have quite a bit to be excited about when it comes to new businesses in the area.

21 News caught up with some officials in Austintown who tell us plenty of new businesses are on their way to the Township including one that will fill up part of the empty space left after JCPenney closed its doors in the fall.

Township Trustee Bruce Shepas confirmed with 21 News that Five Below is one of the tenants that will fill the space in the former JCPenney location. We're told the property will be divided, but Five Below is the only confirmed tenant at this time.

Plans for the divided property still need to be submitted to the zoning office.

Additionally, 21 News received an update on the grand opening date for the brand new Meijer store at the site of the former Austintown Middle School. Shepas says the grand opening date for the new Meijer store is scheduled for May of 2025. We're told the new store will also have a gas station. 

Township Trustee Robert Santos tells 21 News groundbreaking for Meijer will take place April 1.

Trustees believe the addition of Meijer to the community will attract more businesses customers would like to see such as Target or Kohl's and trustees have a plan to encourage these businesses to come to the township.

Finally, trustees say Tommy's Express Car Wash will be making itself at home right next to the Chick-Fil-A on Mahoning Avenue. We're told this will be the first Tommy's location in the Valley.