A new auto parts store is in the planning stages and would be located at Washington Avenue in Huntington. The Missouri-based O'Reilly Auto Parts is hoping to open shop at 490 Washington Ave. The company owns the property and is working with the city of Huntington on getting a permit. It's tentatively scheduled to open this winter, said Mark Merz, external reporting and investor relations manager for the company.

The store likely will have about seven or eight employees, such as managers, stockers and delivery drivers. It will sell auto parts to the general public and local garages. The shop doesn't do repairs or mechanical service, but can help with minor things, like putting on windshield wipers and turning brakes and rotors, Merz said.

West Virginia is a new market for the company, he said. O'Reilly has more than 3,400 stores nationwide.

SHOE STORE: Shoe Carnival is opening the weekend of July 31 at the Huntington Mall, and it's now hiring new employees. The store will be located near JC Penney.

EYE CARE BUSINESS: Eyemart Express is planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 26, at a new location at 2010 Thundering Herd Drive in Barboursville, which is at the Merritt Creek shopping center. Eyemart Express is a full-service optical chain with over 90 stores in 23 states.

NEW SALON AT BELLEFONTE HOSPITAL: Studio 21 Salon & Spa has opened a new location on the campus of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell, Ky. It's in the Firm Fitness facility located in Bellefonte Pavilion, at 2000 Ashland Drive. It's a satellite location for the business and offers the same services as the original salon in downtown Ashland. Those include men's and women's styles, cuts, color and hi/low lights. Massage therapy services are available and stone massage. Other services at the new Studio 21 location include waxings and dermalogica micro zone treatments.

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION: The Tri-State Airport Authority accepted a bid last week for the second phase of its ramp rehabilitation project.

Ahern & Associates will be paid $1,045,000 to rehabilitate the FedEx and general aviation ramps at the airport.

"They're being awarded the contract contingent upon a grant, which we expect in July and August," said airport Director Jerry Brienza. Ninety-five percent of the project would be funded through federal funds and 5 percent from the state, he said.

Please send your business news items to reporter Jean Tarbett Hardiman at jeant@herald-dispatch.com.

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