Vicksburg is fortunate to have an economy that stands on many legs. Government employment, especially federal government employment, and the tourism-casino industry are the largest. But there are many others — light manufacturing, transportation, farming and retailing among them.

Retailing got a boost last week with news that Pemberton Square mall and the nearby structure formerly used by Kroger might be purchased and aggressively redeveloped by a successful Texas firm, Weiner Development.

The local availability of clothing, shoes, gift and specialty items increases the quality of community life, but towns situated as Vicksburg is face trends that make local retailing a challenge. One trend is to regard shopping as an adventure, often meaning it is done somewhere else. People in outlying areas come to Vicksburg to shop while people here travel to Jackson or Monroe. The other trend is Internet shopping, which surged for several years but appears to have leveled off.

Citizens can be lectured about how they help themselves by shopping locally at businesses that support schools and community life, but the essential fact is that there must be ample selection in a comfortable setting or folks will hit the road or turn to cyberspace.

With Pemberton getting an infusion, the Outlets at Vicksburg well-positioned, downtown redevelopment ongoing and plentiful specialty shops all around, this community is positioned to strengthen its retail “leg.” That’s good news all around.