Hermiston Auto Parts moving into former PGG store
Published 6:25 am Tuesday, July 14, 2015
- Kevin Cleaver (right), owner of Hermiston Auto Parts, talks to workers Monday who are moving inventory into the new store location on South First Place next to Bi-Mart. The building has been repained in blue and gray. Although the business plans to open in the new location this week, Cleaver said new signage for the building won't be installed for a few weeks.
Hermiston’s former Pendleton Grain Growers retail store is getting a new occupant this week as Hermiston Auto Parts is relocating to the larger space.
The move will mean twice as much room for the NAPA retailer, owner Kevin Cleaver said, as well as a more visible location than the store’s current spot at 292 W. Hermiston Ave.
“The biggest advantage is probably going to be the location,” he said.
Cleaver and his wife Georgia have owned the store, which was established in the 1960s, since 1994. He said the store has outgrown its original location, which is why he became interested in the building at 200 S. First Place after PGG closed its retail store there in the fall.
Cleaver said having twice as much space will mean more inventory.
“We’ll have stuff we’ve never carried before,” he said.
The store currently has seven employees, but Cleaver said he will probably hire three more people after the expansion.
The plan is for NAPA’s Portland distribution center to bring “as many people as they can” to help move inventory on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while the store remains open at its current location, then transition to being open at the new location on Thursday, or earlier if possible, while the rest of the inventory is moved over.
John Randall, general manager of NAPA Portland, called the new store site at “Cadillac” location.
“It will be a good move,” Randall said.
Over the weekend the outside of the store was repainted. New shelves are being installed inside, and eventually the store will get new signage marking it as Hermiston Auto Parts.
Cleaver said he hasn’t set a date yet but plans to have a grand opening celebration for the community after they get settled in at their new location.
Cleaver said Hermiston Auto Parts is leasing the location for now, because there is a Department of Environmental Quality hold on the property due to underground tanks at the location for the former PGG fueling station that was located on the property. However, he does intend to buy the building once the DEQ issues are resolved.
— Gary L. West contributed to this report.
