MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership Store “is off to an above average start” for a new location, said Rohnn Lampi, the store’s franchise owner.

He said he bases his statement on the number of sales and lease agreements signed. He declined to release the figures for competitive reasons.

“The store has been very well received in the Moses Lake community. We’re very happy with what we’ve seen so far,” he said on Thursday. “We had a lot of people coming in before we even opened. We were very pleased.”

Lampi said the store is located in an area that is very busy and readily visible from West Valley Road and Stratford Road.

“There’s a lot of drive-by recognition,” he noted

The West Valley Road store opened on Jan. 12 and its grand opening celebration is Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Merchandise specials, games, free refreshments and door prizes will be offered at the grand opening, he said.

Lampi owns sister companies Aspen Way Development and Aspen Way Enterprises.

Aspen Way Enterprises also has Aaron’s stores in Wenatchee, Spokane, Yakima, Kennewick and Lewiston, Idaho, he said.

If the Moses Lake store doesn’t have a particular item, it can obtain it from one of the other stores, he explained.

It’s important for people to understand the store doesn’t just offer merchandise leasing, he said.

The store also does straight retail and low prices apply, Lampi explained.

He called the store “a one-stop shop” for electronics, computers and furniture.

The store currently employees five people and expects to add two more employees later this year, he said.

When employed, one employee would work as a sales person and the second employee would manage existing accounts and help customers obtain ownership of their leased items, Lampi noted.        

Job applications can be picked up at the Moses Lake store at 140 W. Valley Rd.

The store’s hours are 10 a.m to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and closed on Sundays.

For more information, visit www.shopaarons.com or call 509-765-9515.