The question of who will be moving into the redeveloped Barossa Community Co-operative Store in Nuriootpa will be answered by October.

The Community Store’s board is currently into negotiations with one discount department store chain.

Chairman Cameron Ashmead said he could not reveal exactly which store plans to move in but confirmed it is either Target, Kmart or Big W.

“These things don’t happen overnight and we’re hoping to make an announcement in the next couple of months,” he said.

Mr Ashmead said the discount department store would help attract and retain shoppers in Nuriootpa.

“It would bring more choice,” he said.

“It would probably stop a lot of the people going south to do their shopping, and I think it would make for a friendlier shopping experience as well.”

Mr Ashmead, as well as Barossa Community Store chief executive officer David McArthur spoke about the organisation's future at a public meeting at the Vine Inn, Nuriootpa last night.

About 60 people attended the forum to hear about the planned redevelopment of the Community Store’s department store.

A floor plan was shown to the audience, showing 2000 square metres of floor space earmarked for the new discount department store.

The inclusion of such a store will mean some of the department’s currently in the store will be relocated.

As reported in the Herald on August 4, the Community Store has gained Barossa Council approval to redevelop its department store, located on the corner of Gawler and Murray streets in Nuriootpa.

The $3 million renovation will focus on altering the interior of the building.

The project is expected to be completed by September, 2011.

Mr Ashmead said the store will be making more announcements on other businesses moving into the Community Store’s mall over the coming months.

“There’s some exciting developments there,” he said.