MUNCY – Although retail is considered a service industry, 80 new jobs were created for local residents with the addition of two new retail chains that are opening this month in Muncy Township at the Lycoming Crossings Shopping Center, formerly the Circuit City location.

ULTA kicked off their grand opening last Friday offering gift certificates and discounts on over 20,000 beauty products. Also available are fragrances and 4,000 testers for hair and skin treatments. “Everything you can imagine is here,” said Joshua Schwartz, regional manager who was pleased to hire 40 new people for the merchandise store. “Many residents have thanked us for being here,” he added. “The Muncy area has been the most welcoming that I have ever been around.” There are currently over 500 locations in the United State and 14 in Pennsylvania.

Five Below, a neighbor to ULTA, is a Philadelphia based chain and a growing corporate retailer trying to expand through the northeast of Pennsylvania according to Brian Ditty from Williamsport and the new General Manager. He is also hiring 40 new people, mostly part time. The store is targeted to teens and pre-teens and everything in the store will be sold for under five dollars. A grand opening is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 29 to July 31 offering prizes and hot dogs for five cents. “We want to make this affordable fun,” Ditty said. The company will also be offering fundraisers for non-profits by holding an event for them and giving them 10 percent of all profits. “We sell everything from candy to t-shirts to DVD’s,” he added.