Building permit not issued yet for planned $3.9 million store

Site preparation for a new $3.9 million Kohl's store has begun north of Lowe's in Kalispell, although a building permit for the project is still pending.

A spokesman with the Kalispell Planning and Building Department said the city is ready to issue the building permit for Kohl's and is waiting for Goldberg Properties, developer of the project, to submit the last of the paperwork for the final plat.

Kohl's is planning a 68,085-square-foot store, according to the building-permit application. Engineered Structures Inc. of Boise, Idaho, is listed as the general contractor, but the project may be a joint venture with a local contractor, according to the building department spokesman.

Kohl's corporate office in Menomonee Falls, Wis., has been circumspect about the Kalispell project. Public-relations spokeswoman Nzingha Thompson on Thursday issued a statement saying "at this time, we've not announced any plans to open a new store in the Kalispell community.

"Kohl's has an ongoing real-estate assessment process," Thompson said.

"At any given time, Kohl's is reviewing sites in communities nationwide. When we have firm details, we are happy to share at that time."

Started in 1962 as a single-store chain, the company has grown into one of the nation's biggest retailers, operating 957 stores in 47 states, according to information on the Kohl's Corporation Web site. Its market niche is value-oriented specialty department stores offering national-brand merchandise.

Growth has been strong in recent years, with 95 new stores opened in 2005, 85 new stores in 2006 and 123 new stores last year.

The company began focusing on expansion into the Northwest two years ago. A Kohl's store opened recently in Spokane.

Kohl's Corporation reported this week that sales for the five-week period ended July 5, 2008, increased 10.9 percent over the five-week period ended July 7, 2007. For the 22 weeks ended July 5, 2008, total sales were up 3.5 percent over the 22 weeks ended July 7, 2007.

Year-to-date 2008 sales totaled $6.322 billion; that compares with $6.109 billion for the same period last year.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected]