North 40 Outfitters is opening a second location on the former Kmart property on the west side.

The company has also secured the rights to the building that currently houses Big Bear Sporting Goods, which is a tenant until a closing date is announced.

“We saw an opportunity to expand our business base to further serve the city of Great Falls and the wider region surrounding our community,” company co-owner Wayne Wike said.

Construction and remodel plans are still preliminary but the new store will be 82,000 square feet.

Wike said “economic indicators are strong. We will rely on teamwork to make the remodel as smooth as possible.”

The company is anticipating that the remodel work could start as early as March but an opening date for the new store has not been set.

The city has not yet received any applications or paperwork regarding the remodel or construction, according to the planning office.

North 40 currently has 10 stores with two in Montana, five in Washington and three in Idaho, and employs abo it 750 people.

According to state records, North 40 purchased the Kmart property in late 2016.