Norwich — Normally, when a big chain retail store wants to move into the same plaza as the owner of an independent surplus store with 40% of its business in that same line, it would be time to panic.

But when the owners of Surplus Unlimited in the Willow Tree Plaza on West Main Street found out a real estate agent inquiring about space last December represented Harbor Freight, the Matera family decided to clear the way for the rapidly expanding tool and equipment retailer.

“When I found out it was Harbor Freight coming to Norwich, I said ‘Yes’ in a minute,” Michael Matera said. “Harbor Freight would make a great addition to our plaza.”

The Matera family — Michael, his sister Susan Matera and their father, Joseph Matera — own both Surplus Unlimited and Surplus Office Furniture and both the Willow Tree Plaza at 363 W. Main St. and adjacent Legare Commons Center at 315 W. Main St.

Harbor Freight needed at least 15,000 square feet of space, so the Materas quickly agreed to move Surplus Unlimited out of its prominent spot in the center of Willow Tree Plaza into the much smaller space occupied by Surplus Office Furniture. The furniture store will move to Legare Commons Center.

The iconic giant cowboy statue will remain where he stands, soon to be beckoning shoppers to the entrance to Harbor Freight, which should open by about February, Michael Matera said.

Surplus Unlimited closed Nov. 20 to make way for renovations now underway for Harbor Freight. The lettering has been removed from the storefront, and a red and white “Harbor Freight Tools Coming Soon!” banner hangs on the front wall, beneath a “Now hiring” banner that directs applicants to apply online at www.harborfreightjobs.com.

Surplus Office Furniture remains open and will need very little time to move to its new spot, which should be done by Christmas, Michael Matera said.

The downsized Surplus Unlimited is expected to open in its new 4,000-square-foot space by mid-January, he said. The store had about 10,000 square feet in the old spot.

About 40% of the entire store inventory was in tools and garden supplies. That portion will be cut by about 70% to avoid competing with Harbor Freight. When it reopens, Surplus Unlimited will offer closeouts of name brand tools and some home and garden supplies, including its popular tarps, Michael Matera said.

Matera said the retail chain is expanding aggressively across the country, with a goal of adding about 1,000 new stores. The Harbor Freight company owns all its stores and does not offer franchises. He said the new Norwich store should draw customers from the greater Norwich area in northern New London County.

According to its website, the chain has seven stores in Connecticut, including ones in New London, North Windham and Killingly in eastern Connecticut.

"We've been looking to open a location in Norwich for a number of years so that we can provide the tools and equipment at tremendous values to the community," said Trey Feiler, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Construction for Harbor Freight Tools. "In addition to finding a great location, we were attracted by the availability of great associates in the Norwich area, and we look forward to having them join the Harbor Freight team."

c.bessette@theday.com