National retailer set to open its first Centre County location in former Bed Bath & Beyond building
Harbor Freight Tools plans to open its first Centre County location May 18, creating more than a dozen jobs in the process.
The California-based tool and equipment chain plans to move into the 23,200-square-foot space vacated last year by Bed Bath & Beyond.
“All of the do-it-for-me and DIY customers is a perfect storm for us,” a company spokesperson said Friday. “The demographic is really suitable for us. It’s hardworking people and that’s really our bread and butter. We’d like to build relationships with those people. It’s exciting.”
The national retailer that will take up a residency at the Benner Pike Shops plans to employ about 15-20 people.
The business declined to share the length of the lease, but said they’d like to operate at the strip shopping center “hopefully forever.”
“We pride ourselves on the fact that we haven’t closed stores and we try to do the right thing upfront,” the spokesperson said. “I think that comes out in our culture and customer service.”