As seen in today's paper: Photo by DJ's C. Todd Sherman. Dwarfed by a giant shot from the movie “Rain Man,” Ricky Powell of Copeland & Johns General Contractor walks through the gutted interior of Hollywood Video on West Main Street in Tupelo on Monday. The former video rental store is being converted into a three-tenant complex, owned by real estate developer Bridgforth Rutledge of Jackson. Rutledge said Cellular South is the first tenant. The refurbishing of the 7,000-square-foot building in front of Walmart is scheduled to be complete in 60 days.

slideshow

a rendering of what the building will look like when renovations are done

slideshow

Remember the Hollywood Video on West Main in Tupelo that closed late last year (previous coverage)?

We told you last week that it is being gutted. Since then, we've learned that Bridgforth Rutledge, a Jackson real estate lawyer and developer, has bought the property and is turning it into a multi-tenant business complex.

Rutledge said Cellular South has signed on as the first tenant and he is in talks with other potential tenants, including a restaurant.

The renovations will be done in 60 days, he said.

Other snippets from our interview:

"I think Tupelo is ready for growth - again."

"I think we're really close to the bottom in that market and I think there's a lot of pent-up demand."

"It's a great location. Virtually everything in it and on it will be new."