BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE— Starke City Manager Drew Mullins is keeping secrets, but he was prodded into letting one of them go by Commissioner Wilbur Waters.
Mullins had already spoken to commissioners individually, but said publicly Sept. 6 that Harbor Freight has plans to locate in Bradford Square in the former Goodies storefront.
The manager said the budget friendly tool retailer submitted a “soft plan,” and he mentioned Bradford Square’s recent purchase by a company specializing in refreshing strip malls.
A dress shop is also rumored for the location, but Mullins could not confirm that.
Harbor Freight sources tools directly from manufacturers and sells them under in-house brands such as Bauer, Drill Master and Hercules. According to its website, the company says customers receive tools that meet or exceed the quality of the competition at a greater value. They establish the quality in their own labs.
It has been acknowledged as a top employer by Forbes magazine and has been recognized for its diverse workforce, including its hiring of women. Retail and stocking jobs posted at the Gainesville location pay $15 an hour to start.
Bradford Square was purchased in May by Mon Ami KM FL LLC for $1.4 million.
This was the only concrete information Mullins said he had to share, but Waters said there could be more to come, saying the manager should have more “good news” soon.
