AUBURN – Demolition is expected to begin next week on Ouellette’s Market and the house adjacent to it.

The long-standing grocery store closed last fall after more than 50 years at its Minot Avenue location. A permit to demolish the buildings was issued early in March.

Dan Carroll, vice president of KRY Inc., which owns the land, said he expects work will begin next week to clear the site. Located at Minot Avenue and Hotel Road, the parcel has drawn a lot of interest from developers.

“There are a couple of proposals out there, but nothing concrete yet,” said Carroll. He said whatever goes on the lot will be a commercial development.

Heavy equipment is likely to be spotted across the road as well. The parcel to the south of Ouellette’s Market will be the home of a new Tim Hortons coffee shop. Groundbreaking on that project is expected soon. The store will be the ninth franchise in Maine of the Canada-based coffee and baked goods chain.

According to studies done by the Androscoggin Resource Transportation Center, about 20,000 cars per day travel that section of Minot Avenue. The traffic count keeps interest high in development along that corridor.

“We won’t have any trouble” closing a deal on the former Ouellette’s Market property, said Carroll.

– Carol Coultas