PORT TOWNSEND—The new U-Haul center at a prominent location — the corner of state Highways 19 and 20 south of Port Townsend — isn’t quite open for business, but the trucks have arrived, and the store is stocked with moving supplies.
On Friday, an employee who would not identify himself was at the site to prepare for the store’s opening.
The formal opening date has not been announced. A request for comment from U-Haul’s corporate office was not answered Friday.
Although the store is not officially open, the employee helped any customers who happened to stop in, booking reservations and selling supplies.
The property was a Courtesy Ford dealership before closing four years ago.
U-Haul paid $1.3 million for the property in October, according to the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office.
The land, which includes three parcels, was purchased from Madeline Woods LLC, which bought the land from Courtesy Ford for $1.4 million in 2009.
In 2012, several local businesspeople met on the property to assist in its development but were unable to come up with a plan.
The only activity on the vacant property was an occasional traveling sale of cars from a Port Angeles dealership that rented the property for a short time.
In February, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Teresa Verraes said she was pleased that the space would now be occupied.
“I’m glad we have a new neighbor, and it is a strong business that will stay there for a while and not just go away,” Verraes said.
“It will also provide help to people who want to move here.”
