Off and running; Retailer opens in former Kmart building
Published 10:51 am Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Manager Everett Hackensmith poses in Runnings Monday afternoon. Photo — Jason Schoonover
Everett Hackensmith was walking near the Runnings checkout line when a customer stopped him Monday.
“This place has everything,” the customer said to Hackensmith.
That’s the kind of positive feedback the store manager said he’s received since Runnings opened a 95,000-square-foot store at 1400 18th Ave. NW in the former Kmart. After a four-hour day Sunday, Runnings opened for its first full day Monday.
“The whole area seems to be buzzing about our new store and we’re just very excited to finally be open,” Hackensmith said in a press release. “The response from customers who have stopped in so far has been incredible. We hope everyone will come in and visit our new store.”
Runnings sells sporting goods, clothing, housewares, tools, pet and farm supplies, lawn & garden, toys, and more. The store also features hunting, archery and fishing equipment, along with pistols, rifles and shotguns.
Hackensmith said the store will boast many new offerings. And for items that overlap with other business, he said there’s just a little different style or brand to the products at Runnings.
Sporting goods associate Cody Huston, left, helps customer Mike Marsolek at Runnings, 1400 18th Ave. NW, Monday afternoon in the store’s firearms section. The store opened for about four hours Sunday, but Monday was the first full day of business.
For Cody Huston, hunting and fishing has been a lifelong passion, so he’s thrilled to be working in the sporting goods department.
“It’s an awesome place to work,” he said.
Huston worked in the firearms section Monday and had a steady stream of people coming to look at guns and inquire about buying ammo.
Huston and Troy Peil, another Runnings employee, noted Sunday was supposed to be a friends and family day, but the store was soon packed when people learned it had opened.
Hackensmith, the former Kmart manager, was pleased to see how the building changed and was remade to have polished cement floors and a new look.
“It’s not just an old Kmart building,” he said.
Runnings officials even put out a table of photos showing how the building changed into a Runnings.
The store has about 50 employee — about 20 full time and 30 part time.
Runnings hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
A grand opening is planned for the week of May 12, with several events planned, including an appearance by former NFL star and Minnesota Viking, John Randle, a hot dog feed, an exotic animal petting zoo, vendor demonstrations, more than $50,000 in prize giveaways including a 2014 F-150 truck and more.
Sporting goods associate Cody Huston helps a customer in the firearms section of runnings, 1400 18th Ave. NW, Monday afternoon. The store opened for about four hours Sunday, but Monday was the first full day of business.
Founded in 1947, Runnings is privately owned and operated. The company currently has 34 stores and employs more than 1,300 workers across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. The company recently announced plans to open three new stores in upstate New York in the fall of this year.
With stores in Red Wing, Windom, Marshall and Worthington, Runnings officials saw Austin as a good fit. Runnings purchased the building in September 2012 for $3 million.
In July 2012, Sioux City-based Bomgaars expressed interest in buying or leasing the building. The Port Authority considered the retailer’s request for a $150,000 loan until Runnings stepped in and bought the building without a subsidy from the city. The building has been empty since Kmart closed in May 2010.
