Burlington Coat Factory, which opens this week in Orem, sells more coats than anyone else in the country - and offers everything from baby furniture to linen as well.
District manager Don Patterson said the company had been looking for a location close to the University Mall for the past several years. Burlington wanted the old Grand Central location, but Fred Meyer beat them to it. But it didn't let up, and eventually Fred Meyer announced it was leaving."We have been coming down here for a long time," Patterson said. "We are a company that's patient and gets the best deal we can."
Patterson says Burlington Coat Factory not only gets the best deals; it gives them, too.
"We sell first-quality, brand-name clothes, Patterson said. "Every department is super."
Patterson said the company anticipates the Orem location will surpass the Murray store within two years. "At least it certainly has the potential," he said.
Perhaps the most difficult part of the start-up process was selecting the new employees. During their final days, the management at Fred Meyer allowed Burlington management to come into the store and interview their employees.
"The Fred Meyer people were good to us," Patterson said. "We hired a number of their employees. We also hired quite a few managers and technical people from Sig-netics."
The Burlington Coat Factory will offer a total selling floor area of 101,000 square feet, offering such brand names as London Fog, Piccone, Polo, Bugle Boy, Levi's and more. More than 12,000 square feet will be devoted just to baby furniture.
"The store is 30,000 square feet bigger than the Murray store," Patterson said. "Our business is to sell brand names at a good price."
Burlington Coat Factory has been in business nearly 20 years and will employ 75 to 80 with 30 more during the holiday season at the local store.
Located at what has been called the busiest intersection in the state, the Burlington Coat Factory opened this week and will hold an official grand opening April 1.