Stein Mart closing in Independence

The Stein Mart in Independence is joining its neighbors, Linens ‘N Things and Bassett Furniture, in closing the doors.

The retailer of clothing, accessories and household decor, has 283 stores nationwide. Susan Datz Edelman, the company’s director of stockholder relations, said it’s closing 10 this year due to underperformance.

The store began its closing procedures last week and has slashed prices in hopes of selling much of the remaining merchandise between now and late November, when it will officially close.

Stein Mart is at 20000 E. Jackson Drive, in the Hartman Heritage District, near the Little Blue Parkway, in Independence. Linens ‘n Things, Stein Mart’s former next-door neighbor, recently closed as well. In addition, the Bassett Furniture store at 19700 E. Jackson Drive, also is displaying “going out of business” signs.



New hardware store

Nuts and Bolts Hardware, in the old Osco Drug store at 39th Street and Noland Road in Independence, is nearing an opening date. Officials with the 28,000-square-foot facility have obtained the necessary permits to stock the store’s merchandise, but still are waiting to secure permission for an opening date. However, informal sources say the store is set for a mid-September opening.



Help around the house

Officials with a chain of stores dedicated to assisting not-so-handy homeowners will soon call Eastern Jackson County home. Mr. Handyman, a network of independendently owned and operated franchises in nearly 300 locations nationwide, is searching for franchisees to operate locations in our back yard.

The company says it’s planning to open five Kansas City area locations over the next three years. A company spokesperson said Monday the move to our area will happen within the next three to six months. But, officials are not yet sure of the locations.

Each franchise will employ about six people, said Todd Recknagel, president and CEO of Mr. Handyman. Recknagel said now is the perfect time to launch a fixer-upper business in the area.

“When housing starts are down ... people tend to cocoon a little bit,” he said. “They maintain, repair and fix up what they have. Where the economy is down, we’re seeing increases.”

The company’s technicians are licensed and certified, insured and have extensive background checks.

“He generally can do all kinds of things,” Recknagel said. “He can take out the counter top, shows up with all the tools and is ready to work quickly.”

 

Buy and sell games

Vintage Stock, a store advertising a place to buy, rent and sell games, CDs and DVDs, has opened a location at 625 Coronado Drive, Blue Springs. The new store, with locations nationwide, joins a store near Independence, at 4163 Sterling Ave. The stores offer cash and in-store credits for used electronics items.



Audio shop is open

Earlier this summer, Evolution Custom Audio Inc. joined the Benjamin Square Shopping Center in Blue Springs. The store offers car, marine and home audio systems with custom installation. The store, which opened earlier this summer, is at 2138 N. Missouri 7 and is owned by Doug Winters of Oak Grove and Rob Franks of Sweet Springs, Mo.