Phones Plus moves into old Arctic Circle

MOSES LAKE - Phones Plus is moving into the former Arctic Circle on South Pioneer Way in Moses Lake.

They are a Verizon Wireless exclusive retailer.

The store is expected to open in late September, with between five and six new jobs created, Phones Plus President Chris Cheeley said.

Their goal is to hire locally, which is why they posted banners with their website on the store's exterior, he said. Twenty-five people have already applied for work.

"We like to find people with some background in the industry," he said.

The store manager position starts at an average of $14 per hour and increases to $18 per hour, according the store's website.

The average wage for a sales representative is $12 per hour and increases to $18 per hour the second year.

Wages are based on a combination of sales commission and hourly pay.

The company has a building permit for its remodel, but he won't know an exact opening date until he brings a contractor to the site.

Moses Lake will be the company's tenth store.

Phones Plus has locations in Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston and Boise, Idaho, and on the Interstate 5 corridor in Washington state.

Moses Lake was selected because it's "just a great market that's really under served," and "a thriving business community," he said.

The company started in 1990, providing phones, accessories and customer service for Verizon Wireless.

"We have all the equipment to upgrade people's homes," Cheeley said.

Scott Charlston, a Verizon Wireless spokesperson, said they are continually looking for markets with a need and where they will have good coverage.

"You can get Verizon at Walmart in Moses Lake and soon you'll have a second option with Phones Plus," he said. "This gives folks in Grant County and Moses Lake an opportunity to see and experience our products. We're just excited to expand a little bit."

For more information, visit www.phonesplusinc.com.