HARLINGEN — One of the top 20 U.S. retailers is bringing its clothing lines to Harlingen.
TJ Maxx, a low-cost seller of women’s and men’s clothes and accessories, will build a 20,000-square-foot store next to the Target on Dixieland Road, city officials have announced.
The city says the developers, the Shops at Valle Vista, will invest $2.5 million in this project, which is expected to create between 40 and 60 new full-time jobs.
TJ Maxx is a subsidiary of TJX, also parent company to Marshalls department stores. TJ Maxx workers are paid at least $9 per hour for new sales associates, rising to at least $10 per hour after six months on the job.
“This is another example of the economic growth that we are experiencing,” said Raudel Garza, executive director of the Harlingen Economic Development Corp., which helped broker the deal.
“We understand that retail development creates a better quality of life. It also helps our recruitment efforts in other industries. So, we’re excited about this new store and the additional potential economic opportunities that it could bring.”
The new TJ Maxx in Harlingen joins nearby Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Sprint, Visionworks and All-Star Nutrition. The new TJ Maxx will be a 14,000-square-foot store site built next to this building. Both are directly across the street from Valle Vista mall.
Mayor Chris Boswell says job creation is one of the benefits of economic development.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be able to announce more jobs will soon be available for our residents,” Boswell said in a statement. “TJ Maxx will make a great addition to our retail family in Harlingen.”
Filling the area near Target being developed by the Shops at Valle Vista has been somewhat of a problem child for the development company and its agent, Craig Garansuay of San Antonio.
More than three years ago the company had a map on its website showing one of the new businesses in the development — space which now houses Visionworks — was to be Panera Bread, but the agreement apparently fell through.
In a statement from the city, Garansuay said he hopes to commence construction immediately and estimates the new store will be completed in a year.
