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Around Metairie got a sneak peak at the amazing retail space being built out by Ducky’s Pools, Hot Tubs & Living in Metairie. The new store is just 2 buildings behind Lowes Home Improvement at 2636 Edenborn Ave.

Ducky’s is locally founded and owned by industry veteran Josh Ulfers. “I wanted to fill a void not just locally but something that could become a national model for our industry. We’re reinventing what a pool supply store is. Ducky’s is so much more than a pool supply store and our industry as a whole needs to move in a different direction. I’m excited that Metairie can be the ground floor location for this type of new concept.” said Ulfers.

He’s right about that. The new store features much more than pool supplies, above ground pools, spas and hot tubs. Ducky’s will offer a wide assortment of unique home decor, gifts and lifestyle products. The non-pool and hot tub side of the store offers customers everything from crawfish boil gear and grills to bath bombs and fun locally themed socks. Even shoppers who don’t own a pool or hot tub will find plenty in store at Ducky’s.

There is certainly a huge and full selection for pool and hot tub buyers as well. “We’re a one stop shop from the pool or hot tub itself to every supply that you would ever need.” added Ulfers. The showroom will feature 2 indoor swimming pool displays and about 25 hot tubs.

Ducky’s will also offer free in-store water testing and analysis of pool & hot tub water. The in-store water lab can test and analyze water in a matter of minutes. None of which is automated. Instead nationally certified water lab technicians test and analyze each water sample one at a time.

As for the name… “We do have a unique name and brand. Many of my peers in the industry are asking where the name came from. The goal here from our name and brand to the products that we offer is to have fun and enjoy life. We’re not in the business of selling pools or leisure products. We’re in the business of helping customers create great life experiences. There are so many life long memories crafted around the backyard pool and grill. There was no better way to convey that other than creating our big yellow friend Ducky.” said Ulfers.

Another former K&B Drugs turned Rite Aid space is changing tenants. This time it is the location at 6425 Airline Drive in Metairie’s Airline Park Shopping Center. Family Dollar is planning a new store at the location. The discount retailer currently has a store in the adjoining building at 6521 Airline Hwy.

The Grille located on Veterans Blvd. next to Trader Joe’s closed last year but the space was quickly taken over by Keesler Federal Credit Union which will be opening their first East Jefferson location. Keesler FCU is a Mississippi based credit union with over 30 locations in the Southeast.

Several buildings were demolished earlier this month in the 3700 block of Airline Drive. Part of the demolished buildings was a compound of structures making up McCann Electronics. A permit request has been submitted to Jefferson Parish by a Metairie developer seeking to build a strip retail building of just over 8,000 square feet on the site.

The Pier 1 Imports store in Elmwood was closed last year during a round of store cuts. It was announced by the home accessories and decor retailer that another massive round of closings is underway. The current round will slash the Pier 1 Imports fleet in nearly half. We have learned that the location at 8832 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie will be closing during the current round of cuts. A store closing sale was well underway when we checked in yesterday.

The 8832 Veterans Blvd. location has already been removed from the store locator on the Pier 1 Imports website. The Old Metairie store at 800 Metairie Rd. is still listed on the store locator so it appears to be safe for the time being.

The Arby’s at 3847 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie is set for demolition and a rebuild of the roast beef sandwich chain’s only Metairie store. Arby’s recently opened another East Jefferson store in Kenner at a former Hardee’s location. Although we do not have concept renderings of the new Metairie building we do have photos of what newer generation Arby’s locations look like.

National auto parts behemoth Advance Auto Parts will soon take over the former Rite Aid (and originally K&B Drugs) location at 4936 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie near Transcontinental Dr.

Advance operates the Car Quest store at 1601 Veterans Blvd. however this new location will be their first entry into the Metairie market under the Advance banner. They currently operate two stores in Kenner as well.

We stopped by and checked on the progress of the new Total Wine & More. The interior of the former Circuit City turned Best Buy at 3780 Veterans Blvd. has been gutted. Not only has the building been gutted but new walls are already going up.

Outside of the building, the iconic blue Best Buy slant feature is being removed as well. We will continue to keep an eye on this much-anticipated project.

We reported on the closing of Legacy Kitchen this past November. Since then we have heard from many Around Metairie readers asking for an update of what is coming to the space.

It now appears that no tenant has been secured for the space at this time. According to marketing materials updated last week on the landlord’s website, the building is now for lease.

Wishing Town Bakery Cafe shuttered their David Drive location last month and they will soon land in the former Morning Call space at 3327 Severn Ave. in Metairie. The new shop will feature cakes, pastries and other cafe items including Chinese Dumplings.