Harbor Freight leases shuttered Staples building

Calabasas, California-based Harbor Freight Tools signed a lease to occupy the shuttered north-side Staples building, according to listing agent Scott Harrell.

Harrell said Harbor Freight plans to open its second Springfield store at 2636 N. Kansas Expressway. A spokesman with Harbor Freight, which operates a store at 3909 S. Campbell Ave., could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Harrell’s company, Scott F. Harrell & Associates Inc., listed the property owned by Paper Clip LLC in February after Staples vacated the 23,942-square-foot building. He said Harbor Freight signed a 10-year lease for undisclosed terms.

Harbor Freight’s products include power tools, engines, welding equipment and generators. It operates over 800 stores, according to its website.

Staples Inc., which recently sold to private equity firm Sycamore Partners, announced in March plans to close 70 more stores this year.