Fry's Electronics chain opening store in Renton

Fry's Electronics, the popular yet media-shy consumer-electronics retailer, will open its first Washington store next month in Renton.

The 152,000-square-foot store, built on a former Boeing parking lot near Interstate 405, is expected to open in mid-July, Renton city officials said this week. Known for its massive selection, low prices, kitschy décor and minimal customer service, Fry's has a strong following among both computer enthusiasts and mainstream electronics shoppers.

Fry's is a privately held chain based in San Jose, Calif. It hasn't revealed much about its plans for the Renton store, and a company spokesman did not return phone calls this week.

Anticipation is building through word of mouth; Alex Pietsch, Renton's economic development administrator, said his office has fielded numerous calls asking when the store will open.

"Some people have been putting off major electronics purchases, waiting to buy them at Fry's," Pietsch said.

Fry's traditionally decorates its stores with outlandish themes, building stores that mimic settings such as ancient Egypt, outer space and Atlantis.

But Lesley Nishihira, a senior planner with the city, said Fry's told her the Renton store will be a new prototype with a less-flamboyant design.

Pietsch said Fry's representatives have visited the Renton Historical Society and reviewed photographs showing the city's industrial heritage, which includes decades of building Boeing airplanes and Paccar trucks.

"Hopefully, in the inside they will incorporate some images from Renton's historic past and our long history of industry," Pietsch said.

While Fry's is lauded for its selection and prices, its style of customer service may be unfamiliar to Seattle-area customers.

The company's Web site lists 13 rules for returning or exchanging products — a far cry from Nordstrom's famously liberal return policy.

"They certainly have a different way of doing business than anyone else in the electronics business," said George Whalin, president of Retail Management Consultants in San Marcos, Calif..

"If you like a great selection, it is the place to go," Whalin said. "They have big stores that are spectacularly well-designed and beautiful. The downside is, they tend to be not very customer-friendly. Their approach is, we've got a big selection and a good price, and if you don't like it, too bad."

The new store is on a 21-acre site Fry's bought from Boeing. City officials expect the store to generate more than $500,000 a year in tax and fee revenues.

Jake Batsell: 206-464-2718 or jbatsell@seattletimes.com