Published: June 06, 2007 11:29 pm      

Official: Kohl's coming to Galleria

A major new retailer is coming to The Galleria area.

Representatives of Kohl’s Department Stores have submitted plans for a location at a Galleria outlot, Ben Grush, Richland Township’s zoning and building code officer, confirmed Wednesday.

Plans call for site work to begin in July, with the store to open in the spring.

Kohl’s had no comment.

The new store will be built next to Gander Mountain. About 16,000 square feet in the former Wal-Mart building not used by Gander Mountain will be razed.

Grush said the department store will be about 80,000 square feet, slightly larger than Gander Mountain. “They certainly have assured Gander Mountain that their operation will not be disturbed during the construction,” he said.

Kohl’s offers clothing and shoes for men, women and children and jewelry, beauty and home products. The company describes itself as having a “history of success helping women and families transform their wardrobes and homes at prices they can afford.”

The property was bought in summer 2006 by Cambria Prime Realty, which has an address in Altoona.

Stephen Zamias, CEO of Zamias Services Inc., Johnstown, said he was pleased by Kohl’s plans. Zamias Services has no direct stake in the Kohl’s development, but he said tenants at the Zamias-managed mall will benefit. “They are a great merchant, and they will bring a lot to the table.”

Kohl’s was founded in 1962 by a Milwaukee family. According to Yahoo Finance, the chain operates more than 800 stores in 45 states and has annual revenues of $15.9 billion.