AutoZone Inc., a Memphis, Tenn.-based retailer of auto and truck parts that recently opened a store in North Spokane and has another store in Coeur dAlene, now says it plans to open new stores in Post Falls and Deer Park in the next few months.


In Post Falls, AutoZone is remodeling the former Spencers Grocery, at 317 E. Seltice Way, and plans to open there in April, says Brenda Berry, company spokeswoman. Neither Berry nor the city of Post Falls building department had square-footage figures on that structure, which is being remodeled for AutoZone by Baker Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane. Berry says a typical AutoZone store occupies about 6,300 square feet of space.


In Deer Park, AutoZone plans to build an about $450,000, 6,800-square-foot structure at 503 S. Main, say Berry and Deer Park city officials. Berry anticipates that store will open in May.


The company also announced plans last year to open yet another store near the intersection of Sprague Avenue and Pines Road, in Spokane Valley, but hasnt done so yet. Berry was unable to comment on future plans for that site.


Architectural design work on AutoZone projects typically is handled in-house, says Berry. She didnt know whom the contractor would be on the Deer Park project.


Both planned new stores will employ about 10 people, she says.


The companys first two stores here are located at 2526 N. Division, on the North Side, and at 2625 N. Government Way, in Coeur dAlene, Berry says.


She says that all of AutoZones 3,612 U.S. stores and 84 stores in Mexico, which employ a total of about 53,000 people, are owned by the corporation, and not by franchisees.


The companys shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Its Web site says its revenues last year were about $5.7 billion. It was founded in 1979 in Forest City, Ark.


Contact Rocky Wilson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at rockyw@spokanejournal.com.