NATCHEZ — City officials apparently misspoke Tuesday when they announced a Save A Lot grocery store would be locating in Natchez.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith and Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said the discount supermarket would be opening a store in Magnolia Mall at Tuesday’s Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting.

Brown brought up the opening of the store, and Smith interjected to name the store during the meeting.

Save A Lot Spokeswoman Chon C. Tomlin said Wednesday night the company does not plan to open a store in Natchez.

Tomlin said the development Brown described — a 55,000 square-foot store that would employ 100 people — does not fit the Save A Lot business model.

“You see, as a hard discount grocer, our average store is only about 15,000-16,000 square feet and never more than 25,000,” Tomlin said. “Also, our format is small, and our stores only employ between 20 to 25 people per location.”

Brown said Thursday he was not certain which supermarket chain would be opening at Magnolia Mall. Brown said he was unsure of an exact timeline for the opening of the grocery store, but said he believes it will be before Christmas.

Smith said she was told that the permit for the work currently being done at the mall was in Save A Lot’s name.

City Planner Frankie Legaux said Crowson Construction of Louisville received the permit. A Crowson representative said the company was contracted only for roof repair work. The representative said he was not sure what store would be opening in the location.

Magnolia Mall owner Grover Yelverton declined to name the store, citing a verbal confidentiality agreement with the developer.