A full-service 99 Cent Only store is coming to Hanford. The store, which will fill the old Monte Mart building in the shopping center at Lacey Boulevard and 11th Avenue, is set to open Aug. 21, said Fredy Mengabar, a district manager for the discount chain.

A long line of job applicants spilled out the front door Wednesday as construction inside continued.

Many were recent high school graduates in search of their first full-time job.

"It seems good to me right now, because I'm not really paying a lot of bills," said 18-year-old Hanford resident Joseph Larios, who applied for a $9-an-hour position in stocking and receiving.

Larios said his temporary position at Leprino's didn't provide enough hours.

"All they do is just call me randomly. It's kind of hard to wait on a phone call," Larios said.

Teresa Flores, who graduated from Hanford High a few months ago, said that this would be her first full-time, paying job.

She formerly worked for El Cactus restaurant in Armona, which was owned by family members.

She said $9 an hour sounds OK "to get started."

The store will add another low-price shopping option to several others in town, among them Dollar Tree, Factory 2-U and Big Lots.

"We're not selling anything over 99 cents, and now the economy is very bad, and people are looking for a good deal," Mengabar said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(July 24, 2008)