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Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com

Home Depot set to open at Snohomish Station

By Eric Fetters
Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH -- Home Depot is set to open its store in Snohomish Station, becoming the new shopping center's final big anchor.

In the past three months, Fred Meyer and Kohl's also have opened in the retail center along Bickford Avenue.

The Home Depot store will employ about 150 people, according to the retailer. The store features the home improvement chain's latest floor plan, with big kitchen and bath showrooms, an expanded lighting department, a special home decor section and other services.

One of those watching the opening days for the new store is Brad McDaniel, owner of the longtime local hardware store, McDaniel's Do-It Center. The second-generation family business started in Snohomish's historic downtown and has been at its Second Street location the past two decades.

"I'm sure everyone will want to check it out," Brad McDaniel said of the Home Depot store. But his business also has beefed up its inventory, doubled its selection of fasteners and added Benjamin Moore paint to stay competitive.

He added that Home Depot's emphasis on big home- improvement and decor items differs from his store's focus on smaller-ticket hardware items.

The rest of Snohomish Station's retail spaces are still being occupied or are being offered for lease. Starbucks already is a confirmed tenant for one of those spaces.

Residential units planned for the 30-acre development on a former gravel quarry have been delayed while zoning and design issues are worked out between the developer, Wakefield Properties of Bellevue, and the city.

With more than 400,000 square feet of retail space and its large anchors, Snohomish Station is expected to have a noticeable effect on the city's sales tax receipts.

Because the sales tax collection and disbursement process lags sales transactions by about two months, the city hasn't yet gotten a clear picture of how much revenue could be generated, said Larry Bauman, Snohomish's city manager. But he has estimated the three anchor tenants alone could generate about $450,000 in city sales tax revenue next year.

Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com