A new business will plant its roots in Concordia Parish in March.

Dick Thompson, owner of Live Oak Nursery and Garden Center in Natchez, will open a new branch outside of Vidalia.

Thompson’s new business will be located on U.S. 84 at the old Anderson’s Garden Center site next to Concordia Metals.

Thompson bought the building last June.

“We’ve been cleaning it up and hauling trash and debris by tractor,” he said.

Thompson credits the expansion to other businesses coming into Vidalia.

““I think Vidalia is an aggressive market and I think business and commerce is growing,” he said. “I’ve been looking at buying (the building) for two or three years and the price got right. It’s been a good investment with Wal-Mart coming in.”

Thompson said he expects the retail store in Louisiana will surpass the center in Natchez because of its location.

“Exposure on (U.S.) 84 is like an interstate,” he said. “(And) the new Wal-Mart is bringing all that business from 60 miles away.”

Thompson expects to hire five to 10 new, local employees to run the business, he said.

His father, Harold C. Thompson Sr. Thompson said, started Live Oak in Natchez in 1937.

Thompson said he began working for his father in 1960 and took over the business in 1967.

In addition to being a nursery and garden center, the business specializes in landscaping, irrigation, seed and sod work, erosion control, tree pruning services and equipment rental.

The new business will feature the same services and provide a crane-rental and construction services, he said.

The projected opening date is March 1.