Third & Wood Is Coming to Mebane
A Massive New Retail Development Headed for Alamance County
Alamance County is about to get a serious retail upgrade. Koury Corporation has announced a major new development in Mebane called Third & Wood, and the list of stores signed on so far is enough to change where a lot of Triad shoppers spend their weekends. Here is what is confirmed so far.
What's Being Built
Third & Wood is a 305,100 square foot retail development located near Interstate 40 in Mebane. That is a massive footprint, on the scale of a full outdoor shopping center rather than a single strip mall. The project sits just a few exits away from where North Carolina's first Buc-ee's is also under construction, which means this stretch of I-40 is quickly becoming one of the busiest growth corridors in the Piedmont Triad.
Who's Moving In
Koury Corporation has confirmed a strong lineup of national retailers for the development, including Target, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, Five Below, HomeGoods, DSW, Michaels, and PetSmart. That is a big mix of general merchandise, off-price fashion, home goods, and specialty retail all landing in one place, which is exactly the kind of shopping options that have typically required a drive to Greensboro or the Triangle.
When It's Opening
The development is set to open in phases through 2027. Large retail projects like this typically bring stores online in waves rather than all at once, so shoppers should expect some tenants to open sooner than others as construction wraps up across different sections of the site.
What This Means for Alamance County
Burlington's economic development director has been blunt about the bigger picture here: growth is coming, and it is visible just from driving the I-40 corridor. The Burlington metro area, which includes all of Alamance County, grew by more than 2,200 people between July 2024 and July 2025 alone, the fastest growth rate anywhere in the Triad. Over the past five years, the area has added more than 14,500 residents, an increase of roughly 8.5 percent.
Burlington currently has more than 160 residential and commercial developments under review, and city leaders say infrastructure investments in roads, utilities, and emergency response are already underway to prepare for what's coming. Third & Wood is one of the clearest signs yet of how much momentum this corner of the Triad has right now.
If you are watching the Alamance County market, whether as a homeowner, investor, or someone thinking about relocating, this kind of retail investment is usually a strong signal. It tends to bring more foot traffic, more jobs, and more demand for housing in the surrounding area. I would be happy to talk through what this growth could mean for a specific neighborhood you have your eye on.
Cathy Cagno, Owner/Broker in Charge/REALTOR, Local To Coastal Realty, Inc.
336-516-4136 | localtocoastalrealty.com
