
Harbor Freight Tools will open this winter in the former
Odyssey Theater in the Lafayette Square shopping center on Pike Street in Marietta, the company announced Tuesday. From 25 to 30 new jobs will be created, Harbor Freight said.
(Photo by Jess Mancini)
Harbor Freight Tools, a nationwide supplier of tools, will open a store in Marietta this winter, the company announced on Tuesday.
The store will be located in the former Odyssey Theater in the Lafayette Square shopping center at 430 Pike St.
Mayor Josh Schlicher is excited about the company opening a Marietta store.
“I remember when Harbor Freight was a mail order,” Schlicher said.
An opening date will be announced later. Construction using local labor has started to convert the former theater that closed in February, the company said.
“We’ve been looking to open a location in Marietta for a number of years so that we can provide the tools and equipment at tremendous value to the community,” said Trey Feiler, senior vice president, real estate and construction for Harbor Freight Tools.
“In addition to finding a great location, we were attracted by the availability of great Associates in the Marietta area and we look forward to having them join the Harbor Freight team,” he said.
From 25 to 30 new jobs with competitive starting rate are anticipated including sales and logistic supervisors, senior associates, sales associates and in seasonal opportunities, the company said. The company also offers health coverage and Thanksgiving and Christmas off.
“We’re excited to see this new development,” Schlicher said.
While it is unfortunate the movie house closed, there’s excitement for the new development, he said. The nearest movie theater to Marietta is the Regal Theater at the Grand Central Mall.
“We understand the times are changing,” he said.
Nationally, Harbor Freight has more than 1,400 locations employing more than 28,000 people. Among those is the Vienna store on Grand Central Avenue.
Forbes Magazine has recognized Harbor Freight among the top 20 large retail employers and among the top employers in terms of diversity and for women.
Harbor Freight was created in 1977 in California in 1977 as a mail order company. It opened its first store in 1980.