Auto parts
chain coming
Staff writer
After more than two months of rumors of an O’Reilly Auto Parts store locating in Hillsboro, the rumor was confirmed Monday.
City administrator Matt Stiles announced at Monday’s city council meeting the chain would be spending $300,000 to renovate a vacant building at 605 Western Heights Circle, recently was occupied by the Pilsen Packrats and Dollar General.
The store is expected to open sometime in the spring, Stiles said.
Not everyone is thrilled O’Reilly’s setting up shop in the city. The city’s other auto parts store is locally owned CarQuest, just a block away, and it will be fighting for customers with the new store.
Mayor Lou Thurston is aware the two stores would be doing basically the same thing.
“There will always be competition, but it remains to be seen,” he said.
It’s possible some residents might prefer shopping at a local store over a chain, he said, but there are other people where that would not make a difference.
As an example he pointed to two carpet stores in Hillsboro. One carpet business opened up right across the street from an existing store, and this competition brought people to the city. The two stores saw sales increase with customers visiting both.
Thurston said part of the $300,000 costs for renovation probably would be to making this building look like an O’Reilly’s.