RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A new 17,000-square foot Harbor Freight Tools store which opened this summer in the Rancho Plaza Center at 10873 Folsom Boulevard in Rancho Cordova is helping to bring a dormant shopping center back to life.

Opened in July, Harbor Freight Tools opened in the site of a shuttered Joann’s Arts and Crafts store. Bright signage and an attractive red, white and blue front façade proudly welcome new customers, advertising “quality tools at lowest prices.”

Inside, the store’s well-stocked 16 aisles of merchandise offer a full selection of hardware, tools, and accessories in categories including automotive, air and power tools, storage, outdoor power equipment, generators, welding supplies, shop equipment, hand tools, and more. All of Harbor Freight’s hand tools come with a lifetime warranty.

“We’ve received a very warm welcome from the local Rancho Cordova community since we’ve opened,” said Matt Patnell, assistant store manager. Patnell worked at the Citrus Heights store on Greenback Lane before moving to the new Rancho Cordova store.

“We have a great team here,” Patnell said. “We’re here to help you with all your specialty tool and equipment needs.”

The new Harbor Freight is the primary anchor tenant in the Rancho Plaza Center. Nextdoor is the family-owned, Gianelli’s Appliance Repair and Installation, servicing Sacramento, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, El Dorado County including Cameron Park, El Dorado, Shingle Springs, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Orangevale, and Gold River.

As renovations were being completed, Patnell said, Gianelli’s, a long-time plaza tenant, was able to expand the size of its business. At the other end of the plaza, El Puerto, a Mexican restaurant is open for lunch and dinner business.

Patnell said he’s looking to hire additional retail sales and stocking associates as business continues to grow to add to his sales team. The Rancho Cordova Harbor Freight store now has a staff of 20, he said.

The Harbor Freight Tools began in 1977 as a small family-owned business and has expanded to over 1,200 stores nationwide.

For over 40 years, Freight advertises and offers its customers more than 7,000 different tools and accessories at quality levels that match or exceed competing brands, but at prices that are up to 80 percent less.

The company also promotes a one-year “Inside Track” membership for $29.99 and offers Harbor Freight customers an inside track for exclusive members-only discounts on popular tools and perks during sales events and its own branded credit card.

Harbor Freight at 10873 Folsom Blvd is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Call the Rancho Cordova store at 916-526-3232 for product availability and general information. View an online sales catalog at: https://www.harborfreight.com/