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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Carter’s Babies and Kids plus OshKosh B’gosh will slide into a shared retail space created by a downsized Staples in the Arena Hub.
Robert Tamburro, trustee and general partner of TFP Limited Development, owner of the Arena Hub, confirmed Thursday the children’s retailer will be added to the Mundy Street shopping plaza.
Carter’s and its subsidiary OshKosh B’gosh will occupy the space created when Staples’ reduced its floor plan.
The office supply chain’s plan to streamline its retail operations announced last year, included closing 225 stores in the United States and Canada and reducing the size of nearly 40 stores.
Staples, a 15-year tenant of the Arena Hub, formerly occupied about 24,000 square feet, Tamburro said. Work began earlier this year to reduce Staples to nearly 15,000 square feet, he said.
Jennifer Donahue, assistant manager for Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh, said the company was interested in establishing a store in the region “for a long time.” The next closest locations are in Moosic and Tannersville.
“This is a big shopping district,” she said.
Donahue said they planned to hire between 23 and 30 employees.
Carter’s Babies and Kids and OshKosh B’gosh are slated to hold a soft opening from 5 to 9 p.m. June 17.
The store will open June 18 and assume regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Tamburro’s father, Robert Tambur Sr. established the Arena Hub in the late 1990s. His goal was to create a destination shopping experience.
“Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh clearly fit in with that vision,” Tamburro said. “We are excited to have them.”
The Arena Hub also features Lowe’s Improvement Warehouse, Ulta, Five Below, Michaels, Dick’s Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, Best Buy, Shoe Dept., Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Petsmart, Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Men’s Wearhouse, Avenue, Sleepy’s, Pier 1 Imports, Olive Garden, and Outback Steakhouse.