A landmark chapter in Owensboro’s retail history has closed with Hocker Developments, Inc. announcing the sale of Wesleyan Park Plaza to Lexington-based BC Wood Properties.
The shopping center, located on Frederica Street, has been owned by the Hocker family since it was developed in 1964 by the late David E. Hocker and his father, Talmage Hocker, Sr. The plaza originally featured Kroger, Super-X Drugs, and Value Village, all accessible from an enclosed walkway — a design that foreshadowed the superstore concept.
In a statement Monday, the Hocker family thanked the community for its support and said it is confident BC Wood Properties “will keep Wesleyan Park Plaza strong for future generations to enjoy.”
The sale comes after the family confirmed earlier this year it was testing the market for offers, hiring national brokerage Marcus & Millichap to gauge interest in the roughly 200,000-square-foot shopping center.
Hocker recalled the plaza’s deep significance, calling it the family’s first major commercial development and a catalyst for David Hocker’s career, which eventually grew to include 45 shopping centers across 13 states and leadership roles at the International Council of Shopping Centers.
“I was there for the groundbreaking in 1962 and the ribbon-cutting when it opened,” said David Hocker’s son, Talmage Hocker. “This was the first shopping center our family was involved with, and it was a major development at the time. Before that, most shopping was limited to downtown Owensboro.”
Over the years, Wesleyan Park Plaza has evolved but remained anchored by Kroger and is now home to a mix of restaurants, retailers, and services, including PanAsian Chinese-Japanese Restaurant, Ernesto’s Mexican Bar and Grill, Libertalia Coffee & Bagels, The Earle, Bella Ragazza, Shoe Stop, Regis Bridal and Prom, and more.
The center also houses BridgePointe Church, which independently purchased its portion of the center on May 30 for $1.2 million. The church also purchased the building at 620 Park Plaza Drive for $280,000.
While acknowledging the emotional connection to the property, Hocker said earlier this year that a new owner could bring new investment and tenants.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for a new owner to come in, invest in upgrades, and bring in new tenants,” he said. “I suspect that’s what someone would do.”
The Hocker family praised longtime managers Phil Purdom, Ted Belcher, and Scott Hornaday for their stewardship of the plaza and reiterated their gratitude to the Owensboro community for supporting the shopping center for more than 60 years.
The price for the acquisition has not been disclosed at this time. BC Wood Properties has not yet released details about any potential plans for Wesleyan Park Plaza.
