A “sold” sign hangs outside the property that formerly housed Walmart in early December after it was announced it has been purchased by U-Haul. Company officials recently shared plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A “sold” sign hangs outside the property that formerly housed Walmart in early December after it was announced it has been purchased by U-Haul. Company officials recently shared plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Moving fast: U-Haul plans to open doors at the end of the month for temporary showroom

The company is looking to hire around 15 people, according to U-Haul Company of Alaska president.

It’s been less than a month since the former Walmart building on Glacier Highway was purchased by Amerco Real Estate Co., a subsidiary of U-Haul, and the company shared its plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January.

Ray Rushing, U-Haul Company of Alaska president, said through a company media contact that the company is currently in the process of cleaning up the building, and once complete, renovations will begin to repurpose the location. If all goes to plan, he said residents can expect its doors to open for a temporary showroom by the end of this month. He did not specify what would be included at the showroom.

“It takes a special type of business to fill such a large space,” he said. “U-Haul is perfect for this property because we can fully utilize the space, and we’ll do it without the environmental impact of a new build.”

The 122,278 square foot building and 10-acre property on Glacier Highway remained vacant for more than five years before the purchase in early December. The building was originally constructed in 1993 and served as a Kmart, however, it closed down after a decade at the location before being purchased by Walmart, which also closed down after a decade in 2016.

According to the city assessor’s office, the total property value —including the building — is just under $11.2 million, however, Rushing said U-Haul will not be disclosing the actual purchase price of the property. In October, voters narrowly OK’d repealing a municipal ordinance that would have required disclosure of the property’s sales price.

Rushing said once the facility is at full operations, the company is looking to hire locally and hire around 15 people. He said some of the open positions will include general managers, customer service representatives and facility maintenance technicians, along with construction positions during the renovation process.

Some of the services that Rushing said will be offered at the property will include customer access to truck and trailer sharing, boxes and moving supplies, portable storage containers, towing equipment, professional hitch installation, hitch accessories, bike racks and propane among other commodities.

“This new U-Haul facility will enable us to serve a growing Juneau community. We are providing a one-stop shop for the moving and storage needs of our neighbors. This community can have peace of mind knowing that a recognized industry leader is here to stay,” he said.

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 17

Here’s what to expect this week.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

This is a photo of Juneau International Airport. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Email threat to Alaska airports doesn’t appear credible, police say

Heightened presence of officers at Juneau airport planned Friday.

A 2023 municipal election ballot is placed in the drop box at Douglas Library/Fire Hall Community Building. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Number of residents registered to vote ‘nearly identical’ to last year

More than 1,100 ballots counted so far during this municipal election.

Samantha Crain, of the Choctaw Nation, sings to the crowd during a performance Thursday night as part of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
‘It’s pure resiliency’: Áak’w Rock kicks off

The three-day Indigenous music festival attracts full crowds during its first night.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, walks down a hallway Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
With Alaska’s federal judge vacancy nearing 2-year mark, Sullivan breaks from nomination tradition

Murkowski appears skeptical about the switch, saying she’s prepared to advance nominees to Biden

Jordan Creek flows over a portion of a footbridge behind a shopping center Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake until 10 a.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake issued until 10 a.m. Friday

Glacier Highway, structures near Jordan Creek may inundated, according to National Weather Service.

Soon-departing Assembly member and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski smiles for a photo at her seat in the Assembly chambers Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Q&A: Deputy Mayor Gladziszewski prepares for departure, shares advice to candidates

The long-serving Juneau Assembly member nears the end of her final term.

Participants in the 38th Annual International Coastal Cleanup carry a fishnet to a boat on a coast near Sitka in August. (Ryan Morse / Sitka Conservation Society)
Resilient Peoples and Place: Coastal cleanup removes 1,400 lbs. of trash from Sitka’s beaches

Effort by wide range of groups part of global project that has collected 350 million lbs. of waste.

Most Read