Renovations are nearly complete on a $1 million makeover of the former Pier 1 Imports store across from Columbia Center mall to make way for an Ulta Beauty store.

A soft opening of the new Kennewick store at the Columbia Square Shopping Center, 1232 N. Columbia Center Blvd., is set for Feb. 8, with the official grand opening set for Feb. 18, according to Ulta officials.

The Ulta store across the street, next door to DSW, Designer Shoe Warehouse and HomeGoods at 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., will close and move into the remodeled building.

Ulta officials declined to comment on the reason for the move, though a lease filed with Benton County shows its 10-year lease with Columbia Center Partnership expired in September 2021.

Argo Kennewick LLC, under the umbrella of Argonaut Investments in California, bought the 8,960-square-foot former Pier 1 building, built in 1995 on half an acre for $1.9 million in March 2021.

It inked a 10-year lease with Ulta, with an option to extend for three renewal periods of up to five years each, according to documents filed with the county.

Argonaut Investments’ Tri-City portfolio includes neighboring Columbia Square, home to anchor tenants Bed Bath & Beyond and T.J. Maxx; The Colonnade shopping center at 6705 W. Canal Drive in Kennewick, home to Best Buy, PetSmart, Michaels, Ross Dress for Less and Office Depot; and the Court Street Plaza at 1308 N. 20th Ave., home to anchor tenants Rite Aid and Albertsons.

Ulta opened its second Tri-City store at 2911 Queensgate Drive, Richland in 2017.

Nationwide, the company operates 1,302 retail stores across 50 states and also sells products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials and social content. Go to ulta.com.

Ulta’s net sales increased 28.6% to

$2 billion in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, compared to $1.6 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 due to the favorable impact from stronger consumer confidence and fewer Covid-19 restrictions, according to the company. Gross profit increased to $789.5 million compared to $545.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Pier 1 closed in 2020 after the company filed for bankruptcy.