Fred’s Appliances to Open Stores in Missoula and Kalispell in March

A new appliance retailer will be setting up its first Montana stores in Missoula and Kalispell in the near future.

"The time frame is a little up in the air still," says Fred's Appliances General Manager Troy Varness, "but I would expect to be open by the middle of March in Missoula and shortly thereafter in Kalispell." Varness also inferred that this was just the start and that more Montana cities would likely get Fred's stores in the future.

Varness says that the Vann's bankruptcy did not play a role in the company's decision to expand into Montana. When asked why Fred's has waited so long to move into Montana despite being headquartered in Spokane, Washington Varness said that Fred's expanded into the Tri-Cities area in 2011 and were waiting for that transition first.

The Missoula store will be located next to Loren's Carpet One and Madison Creek Furniture. Varness says that employment opportunities will be available as the Grand Opening date approaches.