The empty space that was once home to Toys R Us in Florence will soon be filled again.

HomeBuys, the discount retailer, will open its first Kentucky store later this month.

The company also plans to locate a new store in Cincinnati.

HomeBuys is known for discount prices on brand-name items. It was founded in 2015 with locations in the Ohio cities of Columbus, Dayton, and North Canton.

“Retail has been a large part of our lives,” co-founder Karen Waldmann said. “And obviously we’re proud to be help- ing communities by adding jobs and offering affordable name brand products to our customers.”

HomeBuys, a discount retailer that has four locations across the Buckeye state, will open its �irst store in Kentucky and another in Cincinnati in the coming weeks.

The new locations will be in Florence, Ky., at 7960 Connector Dr. in Florence, while the Cincinnati store will be in the Ridgewater Plaza at 3240 Highland Avenue next to Lowe’s.

The Florence location will have a soft opening in late July with a official grand opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The Cincinnati store is tentatively scheduled to have a soft open in late August/early September with a grand opening to be announced.

HomeBuys describes the shopping experience as a "treasure hunt" where "opportunistic buying" leads customers to find closeout items from big box retailers. The inventory changes often.

“We provide a large mix of items and prices that people can’t resist,” co-founder Brady Churches said. “There is no other retailer in American quite like HomeBuys, and we’re excited to expand into the tri-state area.”

Departments at each HomeBuys include gourmet foods, party goods, furniture, seasonal, a wine and craft beer department and much more.

“We can’t wait for everyone to see all that we have to offer,” Waldmann said. “We are excited to grow our brand into new markets, and we hope to provide something special to the people in Florence and Cincinnati.”

-Staff report

Photo: Line forms at Toys R Us in Florence shortly before the company closed the location (RCN file)