Kohl's opening new store in Parole

As the recession continues to take its toll, county business leaders said they are delighted Kohl's department stores is looking to hire about 150 workers for its new store in Parole.

Kohl's said the jobs are part-time, but may pave the way for something more.

"We are thrilled to come to the community," Kohl's spokeswoman Elizabeth DeLuca said. "Kohl's has been recognized as one of the best places to launch a career."

The store is slated to open in March in the former Value City store off Route 2 south, next to the Shopper's supermarket, which was renovated last year.

When asked why Kohl's is opening new stores while the economy is weak, DeLuca said: "Our real estate assessment process explores each opportunity store by store. We will expand in markets where and when it makes sense, after proper research and evaluation."

Tom Saquella, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, called the opening "a good sign" during these trying times.

"It is a good way to start the year off," Saquella said. "It is a good endorsement that the economy here is pretty stable."

Bob Burdon, president and CEO of the Annapolis Chamber of Commerce, also said he sees the new jobs as a positive sign.

"Whether the jobs are full-time or part-time, the fact of the matter is they are creating jobs and, hopefully, the part-time opportunities will expand into full-time," Burdon said.

He said he was pleased a major retailer is forging ahead with plans to expand, even though the economy has been in dire straits for more than a year.

"It's very good to see that kind of investment and that kind of follow-through in the first quarter of the year," Burdon said.

Kohl's officials declined to say how much the company was investing in the new location.

To fill the new positions, Kohl's will hold a five-day job fair beginning on Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel off Riva Road. The jobs will be primarily at the new store, but officials did not say when new employees would begin work.

The Value City Department Stores chain, which operated one store at the intersection of Old Solomon's Island Road and Forest Drive, filed for bankruptcy about 15 months ago, and commenced closing its stores.

Kohl's moved quickly to take over the Parole location, which is across the road from the upscale Annapolis Towne Centre. Kohl's set about putting a new facade on the building and re-doing the parking lot.

The company also has stores in Severna Park, Severn and Bowie.

Besides adding jobs at Parole, Kohl's is looking to hire another 130 part-time workers at a new store it is opening in Middle River, just east of Baltimore, DeLuca said.

The first step for anyone who wants to work for Kohl's is to set up an appointment for an interview at the job fair, DeLuca said.

"We have a great need (to fill) all kinds of jobs" at the Parole location, DeLuca said.

She said the store needs associates for customer service, department service, cash register operation, early morning stocking, unloading trucks and housekeeping. There also are openings for evening employees, to work in pricing and sign installation.

DeLuca said she did not know what the specific pay range is for the jobs, but added that new hires will receive the full Kohl's benefit package, including competitive wages, health insurance, a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership and merchandise discounts.

Kohl's calls itself a "family-focused, value-oriented company," DeLuca said. The company encourages its employees to volunteer in civic activities, and since 2000, the corporation has donated more than $126 million nationwide for children's health and education programs.

Kohl's also has a good reputation for its environmental efforts, and was the No. 1 retailer in Newsweek's 2009 Green Rankings. The company's environmental initiatives include energy management, recycling and green building programs, DeLuca said.

Headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's operates 1,059 stores in 49 states and caters to budget-conscious shoppers. Fifteen months ago, Kohl's announced plans to remodel about 60 of its stores and to open about 50 new stores nationwide.