A Canadian retailer with a strong following among the mechanically minded is coming to Kamloops.

An executive with Princess Auto Ltd. said Thursday the Manitoba-based company will add to its stable of 32 stores in Canada with an outlet in the former Convergys building in Valleyview.

“We’re using about 30,000 feet, about a third of the space,” said senior vice-president David Shnider

The industrial-equipment supplier, which also has a mail order business, expects to open two stores in Canada next year, including one in Kamloops.

“There’s a number of markets in Canada we wanted to get into. In reality we were getting a lot of interest and calls from people who would love one in Kamloops.”

Princess Auto appeals to do-it-yourselfers, ranchers, farmers, manufacturers and government agencies. Tools, pumps, spray painting equipment, shop supplies and welding equipment are just a few of the items on its shelves.

Shnider said many customers from Kamloops were already travelling to the location in Kelowna. The Kamloops store is expected to draw from a large geographic area, including the Nicola Valley and Cariboo.

Charlie Jackson, co-owner of Golfland in Valleyview and former president of the local business association, said the commercial area will welcome the new store.

“This will be huge…. Valleyview hasn’t had a lot of happy stories over the past while.”

Convergys opened a decade ago in the former K-Mart building. But the call centre closed its doors for good this spring.

Jackson said the new retailer bodes well for the mall beside the Trans-Canada Highway and should draw people from in and outside the city to Valleyview, helping boost fortunes of nearby shops.

“It’s good to see a big name like that.”

The store is forecast to open early next year.

Shnider said the company did market and demographic research, including tours of the city, and was impressed by the city’s “vibrancy.”

“I was really impressed when I was out there. We do a lot of demographic work beforehand to look at the potential revenues of a new store. The numbers looked pretty good.”