New Harbor Freight store in DeKalb to open in coming weeks

DeKALB – The new tool store taking the old Aldi site on Sycamore Road in DeKalb is preparing to open to the public in the next few weeks, according to city officials.

According to a Tuesday social media post from the City of DeKalb, the new Harbor Freight Tools store’s soft opening is scheduled for May 25, with the official opening on June 12.

The announcement aligns with city officials previously saying in February the tool store owner hoped to be open by late spring or early summer 2021. City zoning officials said the building permit was not subject to City Council approval, since it is not a special use within the city’s commercial zoning district, and the projected cost at $220,000.

The new store will fill the space previously occupied by Aldi, which relocated in July 2019 to the Northland Plaza Shopping Center. Olson said the old location has been shuttered since the Germany-based grocer moved across the street almost two years ago.

Harbor Freight Tools has more than 1,000 store locations across the country, according to its website. The retailer has stores in 48 states, according to city officials.