Oxford is known for being a small town with friendly local businesses but there are very few places in the city to shop for clothing, especially for men.

According to Alan Kyger, Oxford economic development director, TJ Maxx is looking into opening a branch in Oxford. Kyger said TJ Maxx allowed their realtor, OnSite Retail Group, to search for potential locations for a store in Oxford. However, the location they are looking into cannot be released yet and the plans have not been set into stone, according to Kyger.

Scott G. Saddlemire, licensed real estate agent in Ohio and Kentucky as well as a principal for OnSite Retail Group, confirmed TJ Maxx’s interest in Oxford, but said there is a line between interest versus actually coming.

Close to seven years ago, OnSite looked into potential Oxford locations for Sears.

OnSite has also set up two Fiesta Hair Salons one located in Tollgate Shopping Center by Kroger and one located uptown. OnSite represents between 42 and 43 retailer stores, according to Saddlemire.

“OnSite functions much like a realtor to help individuals find homes,” Saddlemire said. “You give us a potential area and a price range and we help make a match. That is what we do with retailers. Whether it is buying land or negotiating leases for shopping centers.”

Saddlemire said Oxford is an interesting community and economy to work with.

“It is a nine month market with a three month lull,” Saddlemire said. “Most national retailers only look at the population and income of the community. There is uncertainty with this, however. Are students filling out the censuses in their houses? Are they including student incomes? The best thing we can do is just to come up with a range.”

Kyger said he believes TJ Maxx could be a positive asset to Oxford’s community.

“Anything to keep people in town,” Kyger said. “When you have more selection, you have a better opportunity to capture sales.”

According to Kyger, the initial feedback from residents is enthusiastic, but some retail stores around Oxford have been more hesitant in fear of losing business.

Miami University junior Julia Byers said she thinks it would be convenient for TJ Maxx to have a location in Oxford but does not think it would be good for the economy or community.

“Oxford thrives on the success of small businesses and a large corporation like TJ Maxx would be a large threat to locally owned stores such as Juniper and The Apple Tree,” Byers said.

Byers said she believes she would still go into other communities such as Cincinnati if she wanted to go on a longer shopping trip, regardless of if TJ Maxx came to Oxford.

There is no timeline for the decision at this point.