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‘Growing regional hub’

Ashley HomeStore open for business transforming old Kmart building

Photo by Karin Elton Ashley HomeStore is now open for business. A grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce and Ashley HomeStore representatives will take place Aug. 21.

MARSHALL — A visitor coming back to Marshall after being gone for even a couple years will likely not recognize the old Kmart shopping area along Minnesota Highway 23.

There is the relatively newly-built GuidePoint Pharmacy building, the Avera Marshall clinic and now the former Kmart building has a new facade for Ashley HomeTown. A new addition is being built on the east end of the building to accommodate Hobby Lobby, which is planned to open Aug. 26. La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio occupies the former Schweser’s store on the west end.

Ashley HomeTown opened July 27 and will have a grand opening celebration at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21.

“To have a highly recognized retail chain such as Ashley HomeStore locate here reaffirms that Marshall is a growing regional hub,” said Marshall Economic Development Director Tara Onken. “It drives our community forward — other retailers or developers will take notice.”

Furniture Mart USA bought the property in 2017. Based in Sioux Falls, S.D., Furniture Mart USA, which was founded in 1976 by William Hinks, has stores spread across a five-state area, with brands including Ashley HomeStore.

“I know the whole team really appreciates going into communities and bringing in new life, especially to older projects like the Kmart Building in Marshall,” said Justin Hinks, facilities and capital associate manager. “Seeing that transformation is really important to us as well as the relationships we develop in those communities.”

“We are grateful that William Hinks, Justin Hinks and their team had a vision for the property,” said Onken. “It was truly a pleasure working with them. We appreciate they were willing to step forward to redevelop the entire site. Undertaking a 90,000+ square foot retail redevelopment project is no small task, but they nailed it. This redevelopment project is not only significant for Marshall, but our entire area.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will have many dignitaries attending. Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors will be there, EDA board members plan to attend, and City Administrator Sharon Hanson and Mayor Bob Byrnes have been invited to attend.

In addition, HomeTown representatives will be at the ceremony, said Kayla Sifferath, senior marketing manager for Furniture Mart USA.

“Corporate CEO Bill Hinks will be there as well as various vendors, such as Tempur Sealy,” she said. “They are really excited to be coming to Marshall.”

Onken said the Hinks family has longtime Marshall connections.

“I was talking to Justin Hinks, and he mentioned that his uncle William Hinks used to be a delivery driver for Old Home Bread back in the ’60s — he frequently was in Marshall so he had that connection with Marshall. Justin, William’s nephew, attended Southwest Minnesota State, so they both have local ties and felt Marshall was a great place to be.”

The Ashley HomeStore chain of furniture stores is composed of corporate owned stores and independently owned stores with licenses to sell Ashley Furniture products exclusively, including mattresses and accessories.

“We have Ashley signature products that you’ll only find at Ashley HomeTown,” said Sifferath.

La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio, which is next to Ashley HomeTown, is also affiliated with Furniture Mart USA.

“It has its own signage and own entrance, and offers the great La-Z-Boy brand,” said Sifferath.

At the grand opening, Sifferath said, a bed will be donated to a child as part of Ashley HomeStore’s Hope to Dream program. Ashley HomeStore has given away over 60,000 beds to children ranging in age from 3-16 years old.

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