Runnings buys vacant Wellsville Kmart, will open large retail store in 2023

A national retailer specializing in home, farm and outdoor merchandise will open a store in the Village of Wellsville next year after buying the old Kmart building vacated four years ago.

Minnesota-based Runnings said it plans to open a store in the abandoned 94,000 square-foot space at the Riverwalk Plaza after reaching an agreement with the L.C. Whitford Company to buy the building.

The deal was announced Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed.

“As we looked at our plans for the plaza, we felt that an important piece of the expansion was finding a strong retail partner for the building,” said Brad Whitford, president of L.C. Whitford Company, a contractor business based in Wellsville. “We’re very excited to finally have Runnings on board. It will be a momentous thing for Wellsville.”

Runnings plans to hire 40 workers

The building, located on 121 Bolivar Road, sits on five acres of land and has been empty since 2018 when Kmart closed its doors. Runnings has a long-standing history of purchasing vacant retail stores, including vacated Kmarts, development officials said.

According to a press release, the new store will employ approximately 40 full and part-time workers.

Craig Clark, executive director of the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency, called the store’s plans for Wellsville “a much-needed addition to Allegany County.”

“It will be the only retail (store) of any size in Allegany County,” Clarke said. “It’s a good win for everybody because you don’t like that store vacant, especially of that size.”

With the closest Runnings store to Wellsville in Jamestown, Clark said he expects the retailer to draw customers from “northern Pennsylvania and everything in between.”

Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler said the village reached out to Runnings about a year ago when the company was already looking at Wellsville and the Riverwalk Plaza as a potential destination.

Shayler said the village’s Economic Development Board sent an email to Runnings that said, “We know about you, we have this great opportunity and we are a great community.”

“I could not be happier,” Shayler said. “We welcome them as a community member. Not just as a retailer, but now as a property taxpayer. And their reputation and the reaction that communities have had across this state and other states, the community reaction to them has been fantastic.”

He downplayed the potential of Runnings drawing customers from existing businesses. A Tractor Supply store is located nearby on Bolivar Road.

“Naturally, whenever you have an additional retailer come to town there is the concern that other (businesses) will suffer," Shayler said. "I don’t see that happening. When the tide comes in, all the boats rise. Getting the traffic and the activity into this area will only benefit everyone.”

Runnings celebrates 75th anniversary

Runnings was founded Dec. 5, 1947 in Marshall, Minnesota by Norman “Red” Running as an automotive supply and farm store. It expanded to become a large general merchandise retailer of sporting goods, clothing, pet supplies, tools, farm supplies, footwear, lawn and garden supplies and outdoor equipment. Runnings also sells hunting, fishing, archery equipment and accessories, as well as firearms.

In 2014, the company began an expansion into the northeastern region of the U.S by opening stores in Canandaigua, Rome and Gloversville, New York. The 57 stores nationwide are currently celebrating Runnings' 75th year in business.

"It’s an outdoors type place that fits Allegany County perfect,” Clark said.

Riverwalk is largest plaza in Allegany County

The Riverwalk is the largest shopping center in Allegany County and includes a Tops Friendly Markets store, Sherwin Williams, Subway restaurant, Citi Salon and the Wellsville Family YMCA. The plaza was built by L.C. Whitford Company and opened in 1994.

Runnings said the building will be renovated before the store opens.

“They are going to do a complete rehab, including roofing, HVC, air-conditioning, and obviously inside (improvements)," Clark said. "They are going to spend quite a bit of money on upgrades. It’s going to be almost like brand new."

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