A new TV and appliance store has opened its doors in Devils Lake, with plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony soon.
South Dakota-based Karl’s TV and Appliance held a soft opening for its third North Dakota location on Tuesday, June 9. The store, which is located at 342 Highway 2 West, occupies the former Sears location. The business focuses on home appliances, electronics and mattresses and installs, delivers and services its products. The socially distanced ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 18.
“I feel great; we're looking forward to being able to take care of the customers here,” said Jim Mohs, chief operating officer for Karl’s. “I think the best feeling is watching the customers and watching today what’s happening here.”
Mohs was in Devils Lake to assist in opening the new branch, which he told the Herald, is almost ready-- staff members are waiting on a shipment to add more product to the shelves.
Mohs said the company weighs a number of factors in choosing where to open a new branch. There has to be a need in the community for the business, as well as the ability to sustain it after it has opened. Location is also important, as the company needs to be able to maintain its supply chain.
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“If you look at our footprint, we kind of stay within about a seven-state radius of transit time, within one day for our main warehouses," Mohs said.
Karl’s area of operations runs from Wyoming to Wisconsin and North Dakota to Nebraska, with one location in Iowa.
The soft opening comes a month later than the company had expected, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Devils Lake location had been in the works since the turn of the year, but the pandemic disrupted regular business operations, making it difficult to organize contractors and hotels.
Brad Barth, executive director of Forward Devils Lake Corporation, said the company has a good location in the former Sears building, has good signage and will be a benefit to Devils Lake. He expects people from outside of town will come in for shopping.
“It's kind of a regional draw,” Barth said. “They do a lot of due diligence on their locations, obviously, and, for Devils Lake to get that opportunity, that's great.”
Karl’s TV and Appliance first opened in 1956 in Gregory, South Dakota, as Karl’s TV. The company has locations in seven states, and the Devils Lake branch brings the total number of stores to 30. Karl’s also has locations in Minot and Fargo.
