< p>GRETNA, La. (AP) — Three new businesses are setting up shop at Westside North Shopping Center in Gretna, which has been undergoing an $8 million expansion made possible by the city's acquisition of a street for the project.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/UWvpkS ) Cavender's, a western wear store, Auto Zone and Planet Fitness will join other stores at shopping center, which splits the West Bank Expressway and is the city's big economic engine.

On Wednesday, the Gretna City Council approved a site plan and variance for two more phases of the project that will add a retail building on the old Franklin Avenue.

Thomas McAlister, vice president of Realm Realty, the developer, told the council Smoothie King will be one of the tenants in the new space with negotiations in the works for other businesses.

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Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com