Runnings, the home improvement retail chain coming to Austin, is holding a job fair next Wednesday to hire employees ahead of its store opening this spring.

The Runnings job fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Oak Park Mall. The company hopes to fill cashier, sales and managerial positions.

Runnings purchased the old Kmart building, at 1400 18th Ave. NW behind Applebee’s, in September 2012 for $3 million. Since then, Runnings officials have worked to resolve a lease agreement with Kmart/Sears Holding Co., whose lease of the property originally lasted through November 2016. Runnings has put together a renovation plan to get the store up and running in the spring.

Applications will be available and can be completed at www.runnings.com.