The vacant building that used to house Kmart on U.S. 13 will be home to Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers )
DOVER — A national retail chain store is in the early stages of opening its third store in Delaware.
Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, has the necessary permits to begin work at the site of the now-vacant Kmart on U.S. 13.
“I just recently approved the incentives for the store,” said William Neaton, Dover’s economic development director.
“They pulled their permits, which means they can start on construction.”
A self-described off-price apparel and home product retailer, Burlington sells discounted name-brand women’s suits, dresses, sportswear, accessories, menswear, footwear, children’s clothing, baby furniture and accessories, home decor and gifts. And, yes, it still sells coats.
Coats were its original product when it opened in 1924.
The Dover Towne Center is on track to open in the spring at the long vacant Walmart site in north Dover. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Burlington already has stores in Newark and Claymont. In all, it has 564 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
The building has been vacant since Kmart closed its doors two years ago.
“We’re excited that we’ve finally been able to find a tenant for that building,” Mr. Neaton said.
Towne Center on schedule
A bit farther north on U.S. 13, colorful signs signal progress at the future Dover Towne Center.
That shopping area will replace the long-empty north Dover Walmart store. It remains on track to open in the spring.
Walmart closed its original Dover store in October 2011 when it opened a new supercenter store two miles north. The $12.5 million Walmart Supercenter is on northbound U.S. 13, south of the Cheswold town limits.
The long vacant building is being renovated, which will result in a reduction in overall square footage, from 118,234 square feet to 98,098 square feet.
The renovation will be followed by the addition of new storefronts, a division of the building into separate stores and an expansion of the parking lot, Mr. Neaton said.
Tenants will include Outback Steakhouse, Ross, Petco, Five Below, Ulta Beauty, Shoe Carnival and an OshKosh B’gosh, according to Mr. Neaton.
Ross, an American chain, advertises itself as having 20 percent to 60 percent off department store prices. Currently, the nearest Ross is in New Castle.
Petco sells or holds for adoption fish, reptiles, small birds, hamsters, guinea pigs and mice. Pet services include grooming and dog training.
Five Below is an American publicly held chain of discount stores that sells products that cost no more than $5.
OshKosh B’Gosh is an American children’s apparel company founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1895.