Alden Foster with Lee Herman Construction of Pendleton cuts bolts with a saw while preparing the floor for finishing Friday in the old Hollywood Video building in Pendleton.

A franchise of one of the largest rent-to-own businesses in North America soon will open in Pendleton.

Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership will move into 2225 S.W Court Place. The building there has sat empty for about a year since Hollywood Video closed because of bankruptcy.

Jim Wheeler is the regional manager of the investment company that is opening the Aarons in Pendleton. Though there is an Aarons in Hermiston and two rent-to-own business in Pendleton now, Wheeler said the new store will be competitive because Aarons operates on a different business model and offers higher-quality goods at more affordable prices.

We did a lot of research around the area, he said. Were very excited about coming to Pendleton, and we look forward to being an active member of the community.

That might not just be good PR talk. Pendleton Mayor Phillip Houk said an Aarons representative contacted him a couple of months ago and asked what it should donate to locally. Houk said he recommended the Childrens Museum of Eastern Oregon.

They seem excited about coming in, Houk said.

Wheeler said the location also is a key draw because its at the heart of major shopping in Pendleton.

When we first saw it I said, Oh my gosh, weve got to have it, he said.

Wheeler said the investment firm has Aarons franchises in Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii and Alaska. And its just opened a store in New Mexico and has more planned. In spite of the down economy, he said the stores have done well.

That holds for Aarons Inc. overall. The company has more than 1,800 company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. The company also manufactures furniture and bedding at 12 facilities in seven states. Aarons reported 2010 fourth quarter revenues of $484.4 million, a 9 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter in 2009.

Wheeler said the Pendleton store will likely have a soft opening in late April and then a grand opening at the beginning of May. Contractor Lee Herman is working now on getting the building ready.

When it opens, Wheeler said, the store will employ six to 10 full-time workers. He said hiring will start in March, and the firm will run an aggressive marketing campaign to get out the word.