Aaron Rents makes its entry into market

Aaron Rents Inc.

will open its first furniture rental store in northern Nevada in the Kietzke Center at Kietzke and Moana lanes.

The franchised store is operated by William Tell Inc., a Salt Lake City company that also operates Aaron Rents stores in Washington and Utah.

The 7,200-squarefoot store will occupy a former Wherehouse Records space.

Christopher Waizmann, vice president of retail for Trammell Crow Co., represented the Aaron Rents store in the lease.

Doug McDougal of William Tell Inc.

said last week the company likes the location because it's convenient to consumers in north Reno and Sparks as well as south Reno.

He said the company selected Reno for its next store because of the strong retail economy of northern Nevada.

William Tell Inc.

currently operates seven Aaron Rents stores.

Aaron Rents specializes in rental of furniture, appliances and consumer electronics.

An Atlanta-based firm with nearly 900 company-operated and franchised stores in 43 states and Canada, Aaron Rents positions itself as aggressive on price.

McDougal said prices are as much as 45 percent below some competitors while the company seeks to provide higher-quality furniture and appliances to its customers.

McDougal said the Reno store will be open in 90 to 120 days after interior construction is completed.William Tell Inc.

also will lease warehouse space in the area so it can devote nearly all the retail building to a 7,000-square-foot showroom.

The store will employ 10 to 12 people, McDougal said.