HomeBase to Try Furnishings Store in Foothill Ranch

HomeBase Inc. said Tuesday it will open one of its five new home furnishings stores, called House 2 Home, in Foothill Ranch.

The Irvine home improvement retailer said in February that it was preparing to launch a new concept that would focus on outdoor furniture, garden supplies and home furnishings.

On Tuesday, it announced the locations and name of the stores.

In addition to the Orange County location, House 2 Home stores also will open in Palm Desert and in Murietta in Riverside County and two will open in Las Vegas. Most, including the Foothill Ranch site, will be conversions of existing HomeBase stores.

The new stores, which will open late summer or early fall, will employ about 135 people each. By contrast, the average number of employees at a typical HomeBase store is 110.

The results of the pilot program will determine whether HomeBase pursues a broader expansion of the concept, the company said.