O’Reilly Auto Parts makes play for Western New York

If you feel like O’Reilly Auto Parts is everywhere, it’s not just you.

The auto parts retail chain is making a big push into the Western New York market with several new locations and lots of advertising.

It is good news for consumers, who will have one more option when it comes to buying car parts. But it may not be the most welcome news for other companies already in the car parts business here, such as AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts and Napa Auto Parts. 

The entry of the Missouri-based after-market parts and tools retailer heightens competition among the region’s auto parts stores as it comes blasting onto the scene. It is part of O’Reilly’s plan to open up to 200 stores across multiple markets in the United States and Mexico, the company said.

The company is hiring for two new stores that have opened, and has three new stores in the works. 

“O’Reilly is known for its promote-from-within philosophy, and our leadership is comprised of people who have moved their way up through the company’s ranks,” said Sonya Kullmann Cox, a company spokesperson. “It’s a great place to grow a career, so we encourage those who may be interested to apply.”

The stores at 564 West Main St. in Springville and at 2309 Eggert Road in Tonawanda have opened.

Two other stores, at 5534 Camp Road in Hamburg and 6142 Transit Road in Depew are in the early phases of construction. Another, at 2740 Niagara Falls Blvd., has been proposed before the Town of Tonawanda Planning Board.

The automotive aftermarket industry is projected to make $534 billion this year, according to AAPEX, an automotive industry showcase. It predicts that continued consumer demand and economic conditions will provide up to 4% gains through 2026.

O’Reilly has 6,152 stores across the nation.

Two local Big Lots stores have hit the chopping block as the discount retail chain plans to make sweeping closures, shuttering as many as 315 of its stores, or more than 20% of its store count, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stores at 698 South Ogden St. in Sloan and at 2276 Delaware Ave. will close, according to the company’s website. Going-out-of-business sales have begun at those locations. They are among 10 closures slated for New York.

Big Lots is struggling and looking to cut costs in order to pay off debt and stay viable, the company said in its most recent earnings call. It reported a loss of $205 million in its most recent quarter, and sales were down more than 10% year over year. 

Babies R Us will open a store-within-a-store at the Kohl’s location at 3430 Amelia Drive in Orchard Park this month. The store will carry baby gear, activity sets, bath supplies, furniture, feeding gear and safety merchandise. Kohl’s is adding 200 such shops by fall.

The McKinley Mall food court will cut the ribbon on a new tenant next week – Catering by Marjorie. Located in the heart of the food court, Catering by Marjorie is a boutique bakery specializing in European-inspired cookies. The artisan European cookies are baked to order.

Some cookie flavors are Hungarian Harvest, with winter spices, walnuts and almonds; German Black Forest, a chocolate cookie with white chocolate and cherries; and Hungarian Lemon Poppy Seed, with lemon zest, poppy seed and coriander. Prices range from $10 to $12 for seven cookies, according to the company’s website.

After nearly 15 years in business, retro and vintage clothing store Cats Like Us will close its storefront at 67 Main St. in the City of Tonawanda. In an announcement on the company’s website, owner Julie Ann Davis cited a back injury and autoimmune disease.

The company will continue to accept gift cards online and in the store. The boutique’s online shop will remain open. All merchandise in the store is 25% off.

McDonald’s stores across New York are preparing a special meal for Buffalo Bills fans just in time for the NFL pre-season. Starting Monday and for a limited time, the fast-food restaurant will offer the Bills Mafia Box. The meal deal will include two Cheeseburgers, two medium french fries and a 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, retailing for $14.99.

A pair of nonprofits are planning similar housing projects in Cheektowaga for homeless veterans and the developmentally disabled.

Edwards Vacuum is kicking off its plan to build a 600-worker facility at the STAMP site.

The state is loosening the rules on where legal cannabis stores can open.

The new owners of a prominent Hamburg office building have big plans for it.

Moog Inc. is making hay with a big helicopter program.

A closed Niagara Falls factory could turn into an artificial intelligence data center.

National Fuel Gas executives expect natural gas prices to rise.

The McCarley Gardens redevelopment project could be facing a long delay after a state judge criticized its environmental review.

Officials are looking at sites at the University at Buffalo for its Empire AI hub.

A Niagara Falls company is getting low-cost hydropower for an $80 million project.

Evans Bank says its push into legal cannabis lending is starting to pay off.

Earlier this summer, the state announced plans to push ahead with a long-awaited renovation of the Hotel Niagara. Now the developers involved in the project are suing each other.

A medical startup plans to move into the Northland Corridor building that Garwood Medical is vacating.

Garwood Medical will vacate its Northland building as it pursues more funding for clinical trials.

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Take a closer look inside Cummins Inc.’s push to build greener engines.

2. Big changes are coming to the deal between Tesla and New York State.

3. A financial coaching collaboration between KeyBank and HOPE Inside has helped 392 clients in Buffalo, increase credit scores, expand savings and reduce debt since its founding last year.

4. A year into the legal cannabis market, a lot has changed – and plenty more changes are coming.

5. Some 10,000 people and their families participate in clinical trials at the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine. And there is plenty of room for more.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.