CityView Magazine

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting, August 14, 1974 (left to right): Henry C. Player, Jr.; Luther Packer, Chairman of Cumberland County Commissioners; Jack Lee, Mayor for City of Fayetteville; Richard L. Player, Jr. & Lonnie M. Player Tri-Player Investments, LLC developers of Westwood Shopping Center, Lonnie M. Player, (top left), Henry C. Player, Jr. (top right) and Richard L. Player, Jr. (bottom right) Being in business for several decades is an accomplishment that calls for a celebration and this is a special year for Westwood Shopping Center. Celebrating forty years, the center's de- velopers are taking the opportunity to acknowl- edge the history, rejoice in the success and ac- knowledge the contributions of those that have made this milestone possible. Two brothers and a cousin of the Player family had the idea to create a traditional village style strip center with a one-stop-shop appeal. Henry, Lonnie and Richard "Dick" Player realized their dreams with the completion of Phase I. August 14, 1974 marked the Grand Opening Celebration. The center that predated the mall and the All-American Expressway, was built on thirty-five acres in west Fayetteville. At that time, the area was mostly surrounded by dense woods of tall pines. The center offers entrepre- neurs a place to launch their business plans while offering simple convenience for shoppers. Five additional phases of construction are now complete and some of the original businesses remain. Heritage Jewelers continues to thrive after 40 years in the center. Rose and Steve Berti enjoy watching their son, Ken, at the helm. "It is my mission to carry out the values and personal service that my parents taught me ." The Player family continues to oversee the man- agement of the center along with the next genera- tion: Lonnie M. Player, Jr., Richard L. Player III, and Meredith Player Stiehl. Westwood Shopping Center Celebrates a Milestone

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