Aaron’s opens for last-minute holiday shoppers

Maricopans will have a chance to shop locally for furniture and appliances before Christmas when a new Aaron’s rent-to-own store has what is called a soft opening.

Mike Carroll, regional manager for the national chain, said although there isn’t an exact date yet for when the store opens at 44550 W. Edison Road, just off John Wayne Parkway, it will be no later than Dec. 22.

“It’s been pretty solid so far,” Carroll said of the store’s construction.

He said there have not been any delays or issues with building the 7,000-square-foot-store and everything is on track for a grand opening in mid-January.

First, however, residents can check out the store during its soft opening, which will feature most of the store’s standard inventory and regular hours. There will not be any of the special merchandise or deals that mark a grand opening, however.

Carroll said there is a ready local customer base.

“We’ve got a lot of customers in Maricopa from some of our others stores,” Carroll said.

He said now residents won’t have to travel to Chandler or Casa Grande to buy furniture or pay their bill.

The proximity of a store will also mean same-day delivery in most cases.

The Maricopa location is part of a regional expansion, Carroll said.

Another store will open in Prescott around the same time and a new location opened in Yuma on Black Friday.

When Carroll started with Aaron’s in 1996 the company had 144 stores. Two months ago, store No. 2,000 opened in Brooklyn.

Jim Rives, president and CEO of the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance, said the new store is “an indication the economic engine is beginning to start warming up.”

“It’s just exciting to see dirt moving,” Rives said.