Biz Buzz: Harbor Freight opening inside old Rexburg Walmart in January
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Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
REXBURG
Harbor Freight, other tenants moving into old Rexburg Walmart
REXBURG – Construction on the new Harbor Freight in Rexburg is moving forward.
An exact opening date has not yet been determined, but a news release from the company indicates it will open early next year. A grand opening celebration is also in the works and will be announced as the date gets closer.
“We’ve been looking to open a location in Rexburg for a number of years so that we can provide the tools and equipment at tremendous values to the community,” Trey Feiler, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Construction for Harbor Freight Tools said in a news release.
Harbor Freight is the first official tenant for the old Walmart building at 530 North 2nd East. Renovations got underway in July. Company spokesman Craig Hoffman says the tool retailer will only occupy 15,500-square-feet of the 95,000-square-foot building.
RELATED | New tenant moving into the old Walmart building in Rexburg
Howard Kent with SLI Commercial Real Estate in Salt Lake City, who owns the building, tells EastIdahoNews.com there is at least one other tenant moving in. He declined to say who it is. We will update this story if we get more information.
Meanwhile, Harbor Freight announced Monday the store will bring 25-30 new jobs to the community. It is currently hiring for a variety of positions, including sales and logistic supervisors, senior associates, sales associates, and seasonal opportunities.
“We were attracted by the availability of great associates in the Rexburg area, and we look forward to having them join the Harbor Freight team,” Feiler says.
Harbor Freight Tools is most famous for its hand and power tool selection and is one of the nation’s fastest-growing retailers. A news release indicates it started as a family-owned company in 1977 when 17-year-old Eric Smidt began transforming his father’s small phone sales business into a successful mail-order company.
The first store opened in southern California in 1980 and has since grown to include 1,100 stores across the country. The Rexburg store will be the third location in eastern Idaho.
If you’re interested in learning more or applying, click here.
BIZ BITS
Pocatello hosting open house for historic landmark next week
A Pocatello landmark will be open to the public on Veterans Day. The Pocatello Historic Preservation Commission will be holding an open house at Brady Chapel, located in Mountain View Cemetery, Wednesday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the event, HPC members will answer questions about the nearly century-old structure. Brady Chapel was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922 and was constructed by the family of former Idaho Governor and Senator James Brady following his death. Built in a French Gothic Revival style, the Chapel was designed by renowned architect Frank Paradice. In the 1970s, Brady Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, members of the HPC are raising money to help restore the chapel ahead of its rededication in 2022 and donations will be accepted at the open house. Once the Chapel is completely restored, it will be available as a venue for events such as funerals, weddings, receptions, and other similar events. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendees are required to wear face coverings while inside Brady Chapel.
Orthopedic clinic breaks ground on new building in Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS – Summitt Orthopaedics in Idaho Falls broke ground on the site for its new building last Thursday. The 19,000-square-foot building will be built at 3720 Wooding Drive across from Cabela’s. The clinic is currently at 2321 Coronado Street. It provides advanced orthopedic care and focuses on accelerated recovery and customized care for patients. Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.
Firehouse Subs opens in Ammon
AMMON – Sandcreek Commons in Ammon is a flurry of activity with several new businesses opening in the retail strip. One of them is Firehouse Subs. The third eastern Idaho location officially opened its doors at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The dining room is currently open at half the capacity to comply with state and local health guidelines. The restaurant offers subs to go via online ordering through the Firehouse Subs app or website, call-in phone orders or takeout service at the counter. Curbside delivery will also be available and the rapid rescue rack is located inside the door for easy and quick access. Chris and Natalie Morris opened the first Firehouse Subs in Idaho Falls in February of 2019 and acquired the Pocatello location later that year. Chris is a fire captain at Idaho National Laboratory, and together the couple enjoys serving the community while raising three young sons. The Ammon Firehouse Subs restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
RELATED | The local firefighter behind the new Firehouse Subs coming to Idaho Falls
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
Hawaiian-style restaurant opening in Ammon next spring
Future unclear for two movie theater projects in Idaho Falls
Local medical facility changes name, moves locations in effort to better serve community
Over 1,000 pounds of candy will be shot out of a cannon at local Halloween event
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