PORT ANGELES — Discount retailer Big Lots Stores Inc. is planning to open a store in Port Angeles this summer, six years after closing one in Sequim.

It should move into a 27,976-square-foot space in Port Angeles Plaza, 1940 E. First St., between the Rite Aid pharmacy and Jo-Ann fabric store, by August.

On Monday, construction crews employed by Port Angeles Plaza worked on the storerooms at the back of the store and remodel the entrance area, preparing it for the installation of a Big Lots sign.

“We’re happy to have the additional storefront occupied,” said Nathan West, city director of community and economic development.

The city will do what it can to help them move in, West said.

Big Lots is a national closeout retailer with annual sales of $5 billion and has about 1,400 stores nationwide. Representatives of Big Lots did not return calls Monday.

WorkSource Clallam County is creating a job fair to staff the new store, said Kim Smith, WorkSource business representative.

Smith did not yet have a date for the job fair but said it will be held toward the end of this month.

Eighteen jobs were lost when Big Lots closed its store in Bell Creek Plaza in eastern Sequim six years ago this month.

Big Lots was housed in a 22,000-square-foot space near the QFC supermarket from 2000 until May 2007.

That’s when the chain closed 160 of its 1,400 U.S. stores.

The closure announcement got a big response from Sequim residents who had fought for their store but were unsuccessful.

Plans for the Port Angeles store have been in the works for about a year.

A building plan for the location is dated Nov. 19, 2012, and much of the indoor work was completed over the winter.

Meridian Builders of Seattle is managing the construction for Port Angeles Plaza Associates, using mostly Clallam County subcontractors to do the work, said Matt Comstock, project construction manager.

Local companies involved in the construction have included Angeles Communication, Modern Drywall, Chris Brandon Painting, Tom Moon Construction, Tom’s Plumbing, and Shamp Electrical Contracting, Comstock said.

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.