Discount hardware retailer Harbor Freight Tools is preparing to launch its Columbia County location over the next few weeks. Drive southward toward the intersection of Columbia and South Belair Roads and one would be facing its sign at site of the old Bi-Lo in Martinez.
“We’ve been looking to open a location in Columbia County, and in Martinez specifically, for some time,” said Harbor Freight communications director Craig Hoffman. “We always want to wait until we find a location that meets our requirements: good visibility, easy access, ample parking for our customers and the right sized footprint. This new location meets all of those.”
The new store branch will be leasing at Victoria Station on Columbia Road, which also has a CVS Pharmacy on its westward side. The plaza is owned by Randolph Property Groups, and the store will be using some 15,000 square feet of the 28,000 square foot building. Hoffman says that this is smaller than similar big box hardware store chains but sees it as a competitive edge, making browsing a little easier.
“Many of our customers are professional tradespeople and want to stop by on their way to their jobsite or workshop,” he said. “Pick up what they need and be able to quickly head off to work.”
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Hoffman says that the shop is hiring locally, having already brought 25 to 30 jobs to the area. Among those jobs is construction, which is still underway inside the building, but Hoffman dates a soft opening on March 29, primarily to acclimate the employees. The grand opening is scheduled for April 16. This will make it just over a month after Northern Tool + Equipment, another national equipment retailer, opened its location off Flowing Wells Road on March 11.
This latest branch, located at 4480 Columbia Rd., will accompany Harbor Freight’s locations in Augusta, at Richmond Plaza, and in Aiken on Whiskey Road.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
