Harbor Freight and Old Navy will allow customers to shop before Feb. 5 grand openings

WOOSTER – Harbor Freight Tools and Old Navy will open to the general public on the same day with their grand openings scheduled for Saturday, Feb 5, at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively. 

Area shoppers can peruse tools and clothes earlier than grand opening day, as both stores have scheduled soft openings. 

New biz:Harbor Freight Tools plans to open in Wooster along Portage Road

While Harbor Freight is not officially open, the store located on Portage Road next to Ollie's Bargain Outlet tested a soft opening the week of Jan. 17, said Craig Hoffman, director of Corporate Communications and Content.

"We always do what we call a 'soft open' where we’re open for business, but it gives our associates a chance to work in the store prior to our grand opening," Hoffman said. 

The new location is around 16,600 square feet, he said. The store will employ 20-30 people. 

It will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. 

“We’re ready to serve and deliver value to customers in Wooster and all of Wayne County,” said Joseph Daniels, store manager. 

All Harbor Freight stores follow Centers for Disease Control and Protection cleaning guidelines. Anyone who experiences COVID-like symptoms is encouraged to shop online, according to a company news release. 

Old Navy in Wooster

While not officially open, customers can shop early at Old Navy, located on Burbank Road next to Walmart. The store's planned soft open is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 2, said Deb Compton, a spokesperson for Old Navy.

The store will be opened seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, she said.

The nearly 12,000-square-foot space will employ between 30 and 50 people. 

Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com

On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie