ASHEBORO—Big plans are in the works for the former Kmart building on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro. After sitting vacant for 13 years now, the building will soon have a new tenant.
"Last week we received an application from Harbor Freight Tools to occupy that location,” said Trevor Nuttall, community development director for the City of Asheboro. “We're very excited about that. It's good news for Asheboro and will bring jobs here. I think it continues to grow the momentum we've experienced recently."
Nuttall says it's significant the company approached them.
"It means we're doing something right, I think,” he said. “It means we're on the map, people know that we're here and that companies are coming to us, and we're not always having to go after them."
Harbor Freight's expected to move in, in about six months. There's also been an interest in the old Office Depot building next door.
"It was a pretty positive initial discussion with Planet Fitness representatives, so we're hopeful they will come as well,” Nuttall said.
City and economic development leaders say there are plenty more empty buildings around the city that companies are interested in.
"There is a vacant industrial building in the far northwest part of our county that a High Point company plans to occupy,” Randolph County Economic Development President Bonnie Renfro said. “They make holders for tablets."
Renfro also points to hosiery manufacturer Kayser Roth's recent expansion.
"To see them add 50 new jobs, expand their building and put in some new equipment, it’s just really good to see textiles growing again,” Renfro said.
Harbor Freight plans to use a third of the former Kmart space, but there will still be about 40,000 feet of leasable space.