BizBeat: Discount retailer Here Today likely headed to JC

St. Louis-based discount retailer Here Today expects to announce plans for a Jefferson City store, like the one pictured above, sometime in the next few weeks.
St. Louis-based discount retailer Here Today expects to announce plans for a Jefferson City store, like the one pictured above, sometime in the next few weeks.

St. Louis-based discount retailer Here Today expects to announce plans for a Jefferson City location sometime in the next few weeks.

Here Today sells home and outdoor decor, clothing, and groceries at discount rates. The Jefferson City store is one of several potential new locations Here Today expects to announce shortly.

Here Today stores are known to be similar to dollar stores, with many items costing about $1. Its selection of home decor is smaller than other home retailers like HomeGoods, and it carries a small selection of groceries, cleaning and bath supplies. Here Today stores also boast large selections of wines and craft beers. Stores tend to be filled with bright neon blue, yellow, green and pink signs and feature trendy merchandise.

About two and a half years after its launch, the company has eight stores, all in the St. Louis area. Here Today Marketing Director Heather Strahorn said the Jefferson City store may become the first store announced outside of the St. Louis market. That, she said, is a big deal for the company.

"We're pumped," Strahorn said. "We're hoping to be able to get something announced and making it official really soon."

A job posting online shows Here Today is looking for a store manager in Jefferson City. While plans have not been finalized, a manager would help Here Today lay the groundwork for the new store and prepare for its opening.

Strahorn declined to name potential sites for the store in Jefferson City. An address of the store's location also was not listed in the job posting.

No other jobs for a Here Today store have been listed yet, and Strahorn did not know how many part-time and full-time jobs may be available.

Here Today plans to open four locations this year, according to the job posting, and 10-12 stores in 2018 "and beyond." The company prefers stores with 15,000-20,000 square feet of space, according to its website.

A map on the company's website lists 15 markets the company wants to expand to between 2017 and 2019. On that map the company does not list Jefferson City, although it includes other Missouri cities like Rolla, Springfield and Columbia. The company also lists cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Memphis and Kansas City as expansion cities.

Strahorn said the company is primarily looking at expanding to markets within about 150 miles of St. Louis right now.

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