Hopefuls turn out for Goody's interviews

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- At least 75 people turned out Friday for open interviews to fill spots at the Goody's store, set to open April 20 at the South Main Shopping Plaza, 2400 S. Main St., Fort Scott.

The 9,000-square-foot store, which will include 8,000 square feet of selling space, is part of a former Wal-Mart. Hibbett Sports and Rent-A-Center are also open at the same plaza, which includes Tractor Supply Co. and is expected to feature Family Dollar as well.

District Manager Thomas Bissett said Goody's is owned by Houston, Texas-based Stage Stores. Its other "nameplates" include Peebles, Palais Royal, Bealls and Stage. The chain offers name-brand apparel from Chaps by Ralph Lauren, Dockers, Nike, Union Bay and others.

The Fort Scott store was originally supposed to be a Stage.

"It's basically a department store for the whole family," Bissett said.

Thirty-plus employees will be hired as temporary associates for the grand opening and the number kept on permanently could be 15-16, Bissett said. However, that number varies from store to store.

Job candidates on Friday filled out applications, watched a video that gave an overview of what kind of employees Goody's is looking for and interviewed with Stage personnel in the Greyhound Room of the Dick Hedges Administration Building on the Fort Scott Community College campus. Those the chain is interested in will be contacted by phone for a follow-up interview.

Fort Scott Community College freshman Logan Fancher attended the open interviews because he needs a job. "Going to college is kind of costly," he said. "I will be transferring to KU (University of Kansas) soon and I need to get some money built up for that."

Fancher said he has never held a retail position before. "This was my first interview-type thing. Right now, I'm a tutor at the community college" mainly offering help in math, English and biology, he said.

Jamie Collins, a Pittsburg State University student, said it's kind of hard to find a job in a small town. "When a chain comes in like that, that's a great opportunity for a young person to find a job," Collins said, adding she has no retail experience.

Temporary employees will start April 11. Store manager will be Diana Suarez, according to a flyer given to applicants. Once hired, everyone goes through a training period that includes watching 15-20 videos and filling out paperwork, Bissett said.

Bissett said he hoped more people would come for interviews. "It's a mixed bag. I would have hoped for more. It was advertised," he said.

"The last store I opened (in Clinton, Mo.), ... 250 showed up for open interviews. It just varies from town to town," Bissett added. Thirty were hired at the Clinton store and he said it was "so hard to determine who we wanted to keep."