T.J. Maxx Opening in Late March

Good news for the local economy, T.J. Maxx will be opening its new store sometime next month at the location where Borders Bookstore shut down last summer.

"We still don't have an exact date for the store opening,  it will probably be sometime near the end of March, " said Carrie Garfield, a spokesperson who spoke to Sherman Oaks Patch from the company headquarters in Framingham, Mass.

"We have high hopes for the location," added Garfield.

The 49,000 square foot retail store at 14651 Ventura Boulevard is in the heart of Sherman Oaks' shopping district. T.J. Maxx is a clothing retailer with stores across the country.

The company website claims ' T.J.Maxx stores offer designer and brand name fashion for women, men, teens, kids and baby for up to 60% off department store prices, every day.'

The departure of Borders  last year created the largest vacant retail space on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks; news that a major chain will be coming to town has generated a good feeling among many residents.

"This is going to be a real shot in the arm for the local economy," said long time resident Ellen Vukovich.

"It's the kind of thing that's really needed, with so much of the economy in rough shape," she added.

Construction began two months ago, "It's definitely creating some jobs," said Jose Cedeno, one of the construction workers on the project.