Thrift store, closeout coming to Woodbury

• PHOTO: Big Lots

A new Big Lots will join other retailers at Tamarack Village this summer.

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Two large discount stores will open late this summer in Woodbury just a short distance apart off Radio Drive.

Less than three months after Ultimate Electronics announced its bankruptcy and closure, officials from Savers said it’s taking over the Woodbury location. And four years after Comp USA closed its doors at Tamarack Village, Big Lots officials decided to lease that space.

Though both stores are seeking bargain hunters, one bills itself as a thrift store, while the other is a closeout retailer.

“Hopefully there is more than enough business to go around and they can both be successful and provide more of a selection for the shoppers,” said Hans Rasmussen, president of Robert Muir Company, owner of Tamarack Village.

Crews began work on remodeling the former Ultimate Electronics earlier this month to convert it into a more open 27,500-square foot space.

“We’re demolishing the entire inside, basically, and making it a huge open space for Savers,” project manager Amy Gabbard said.

Both stores are expected to bring 90 jobs to the city.

Savers, a second-hand store that accepts thousands of donated items every day, will work with nonprofits in the community to solicit donations of clothing and household goods through neighborhood pick-up services. Residents will also have the opportunity to drop off items at the store once it opens.

Nonprofits are paid for all items collected whether or not they’re suitable for re-sale, Savers spokesperson Sara Gaugl said.

“We believe that Woodbury will be a strong market for us and expect our value proposition to resonate with people,” she said. “Everyone likes to find a great deal, and people really love to support their communities.”

Big Lots has been looking to open a store in the area for a while, Rasmussen said. The company has upgraded its store layouts and merchandise to offer more of a variety and a different format for the market.

The new Tamarack Village location will be a 20,000-square foot space that sells brand-name items for 20 to 40 percent less than discount stores and up to 70 percent below the traditional retailer, said spokesperson Toni Fink.

Big Lots joins a number of other retailers at the large shopping center.

“The city was selected as a new home to Big Lots as it is a growing, above average income suburb of St. Paul,” Fink said, adding, “This is a prime location for Big Lots, especially considering the strong co-tenants in this center.”

Big Lots is tentatively scheduled to open in late August, while Savers is planning a hiring fair in late June before opening in September.

Janelle Schmitz, planning and economic development manager for the city of Woodbury, said city officials are pleased the Ultimate Electronics space has quickly found a new tenant.

“We’re pleasantly surprised that it’s not going to stay vacant longer. It’s a big building,” she said.

Though Woodbury is known as an above average income suburb in the Twin Cities, the demand for thrift and closeout stores is there, Rasmussen said.

“It’s probably a reflection of today’s economy,” Schmitz said.

Tags: communities, business, woodbury