Retailer moving into Kmart building

New tenant plans to open within a month

MOSES LAKE — Keep your eyes on the old Kmart building in the next month.

A new tenant, the name of which has not been released, will be moving in as soon as the extensive water damage caused in January is repaired, said Kim Foster, corporate counsel for the Aero-Space Port International (ASPI) Group, which is managing the building for the Taiwan-based investor that purchased it.

The building was reportedly filled with 8 inches of water after suspects broke in, broke a water pipe and later turned on fire water valves outside the building, police indicated in January. Estimates indicated more than $50,000 worth of damage was done.

Foster believes residents will find the new tenant interesting, exciting and useful, a "very interesting retailer," and said they plan to open within a month.

"I think people should recognize the name," he said. "I believe they have about 100 stores, and some stores in the Northwest."

Work trailers will be outside the building as they begin outfitting it for their purposes, he said.

The store has been vacant since Kmart closed in 2003.

The retailer will use half of the building, Foster said. The ASPI Group is still negotiating with other tenants for the second half.