Construction continues on the former Sports Authority storefront at Prince Kuhio Plaza, with new tenants — T.J. Maxx and Petco — expected to open early next year, according to the mall.

As of Thursday, the interior had been stripped down to concrete floors and metal posts. The space has been vacant since Sports Authority closed in 2016.

The clothing retailer and pet supply store will be the next major tenants at the mall since Genki Sushi opened earlier this month.

Sean Hartigan, a Petco store manager from Oahu, said the Hilo store will open in March. No specific date has been set.

Hartigan, who was attending a job fair Thursday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-purpose Stadium, said the future Hilo location is expected to be one of the top Petco stores in the state. There are currently 10, with one in Kailua-Kona.

About 20 people will be hired, with dog groomers the first to be brought on board followed by managers, he said.

Hartigan said Petco has planned to open a store in Hilo for at least five years. He said the Hilo Target is the chain’s top seller for pet supplies, though a Target manager said they couldn’t comment about sales.

In addition to grooming and pet supplies, Petco will have pets for sale and offer dog training.

For those who missed the job fair, Hartigan said they can apply by visiting mypetcocareers.com.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Construction continues on the former Sports Authority storefront at Prince Kuhio Plaza, with new tenants — T.J. Maxx and Petco — expected to open early next year, according to the mall.

As of Thursday, the interior had been stripped down to concrete floors and metal posts. The space has been vacant since Sports Authority closed in 2016.

The clothing retailer and pet supply store will be the next major tenants at the mall since Genki Sushi opened earlier this month.

Sean Hartigan, a Petco store manager from Oahu, said the Hilo store will open in March. No specific date has been set.

Hartigan, who was attending a job fair Thursday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-purpose Stadium, said the future Hilo location is expected to be one of the top Petco stores in the state. There are currently 10, with one in Kailua-Kona.

About 20 people will be hired, with dog groomers the first to be brought on board followed by managers, he said.

Hartigan said Petco has planned to open a store in Hilo for at least five years. He said the Hilo Target is the chain’s top seller for pet supplies, though a Target manager said they couldn’t comment about sales.

In addition to grooming and pet supplies, Petco will have pets for sale and offer dog training.

For those who missed the job fair, Hartigan said they can apply by visiting mypetcocareers.com.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.