‘More than a farm store’; Austin Runnings to feature sporting goods section with firearms, hunting gear

Published 10:55 am Friday, March 21, 2014

An “opening soon” sign hangs in the door of Runnings Thursday. The store is set to open the first week of April. -- Eric Johnson

An “opening soon” sign hangs in the door of Runnings Thursday. The store is set to open the first week of April. — Eric Johnson

Austin’s newest retailer is off and running toward an April opening.

Runnings, a Marshall-based home improvement chain, is set to open its Austin store in the former Kmart location, 1400 18th Ave. NW, the first week of April.

“We are just extremely excited to be opening up our store in Austin,” said Director of Marketing Dennis Jensen. “The response from the public has just been incredible.”

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Austin’s Runnings will be one of 14 of the company’s 34 locations in the Upper Midwest to feature an expanded sporting goods department, which will include firearms and other hunting and archery supplies.

“Our goal is to offer … the area’s largest selection of firearms,” Jensen said.

While many people think of Runnings as just a farm supply store, Jensen said that is not the case.

“We’re much more than a farm store,” he said.

Along with sporting goods, the store will sell clothing, farm tools, pet supplies, lawn and garden items, housewares, toys and more.

“The things that you really need around your home and your farm and your ranch,” Jensen said.

Though an exact opening date hasn’t been announced, employees are already busy stocking shelves and moving in product. Runnings hired Everett Hackensmith — the former Kmart manager — as store manager. Jensen confirmed the store still plans to hire about 50 employees, but the hiring process is not complete.

Like all Runnings, Austin’s location will be open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, according to Jensen.

With stores in Red Wing, Windom, Marshall and Worthington, Jensen said company officials saw Austin as a good fit. Runnings purchased the building in September 2012 for $3 million.

Runnings was founded by Norman Running in 1947 as an automotive supply store and now employes more than 1,200 people.

In July 2012, Sioux City-based Bomgaars expressed interest in buying or leasing the building. The Port Authority considered the retailer’s request for a $150,000 loan until Runnings stepped in and bought the building without a subsidy from the city. The building has been empty since Kmart closed in May 2010.