The agreement isn’t sealed, but it’s delivered and — most importantly — signed. Which is important because it means Harbor Freight is indeed headed to Emporia.
Flinthills Mall Manager Clarence Frye says mall ownership and Harbor Freight representatives have inked the necessary signatures for the agreement.
Harbor Freight will occupy the former Sears store on the south side of the mall — the same space rented by Spirit Halloween last year. Some preliminary work has already take place immediately south of the space as mall workers have installed a new sidewalk in the front of the store. Other work to make the parking handicapped-accessible, including a new parking lot slope, will happen before Harbor Freight moves in.
Harbor Freight has applied for its own construction permits and could begin its own renovations by late July or early August. The goal is to have the store ready for customers by mid-October. After a store manager position was announced in May, other hirings will take place soon.
Harbor Freight is a national tool and equipment retailer with nearly 20 stores already in Kansas. Its headquarters is Calabasas, California.
