Business briefs
MANATEE -- O'Reilly Auto Parts has opened a new store in Bradenton at 5930 14th St. W. It is the second store the Springfield, Mo., retailer has opened in the Bradenton area in the past two years.
In 2014, O'Reilly opened a 10,000-square-foot retail store and warehouse at 2805 First St. E. The new store measures 7,500 square feet.
A grand opening for the new store will run May 11-24.
O'Reilly is not the only national auto parts retailer to expand in Bradenton in recent years. In January, AutoZone, a Tennessee-based auto parts and supplies retailer, filed plans to build its newest Manatee store about a block east of the DeSoto Square mall.
O'Reilly Automotive Inc. is a nationwide specialty retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories. Founded in 1957, the company operates more than 4,200 stores in 42 states.
Resort at Longboat Key Club to host hiring event
SARASOTA -- From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at the CareerSource Suncoast Sarasota Career Center, 3660 N. Washington Blvd. The Resort at Longboat Key Club and the hiring agency will host a hiring event.
Open positions include banquet, bartender, concierge, events, hostess, line cook, maintenance, sales, security, spa, steward and yacht detailer. No appointment is necessary for the hiring event but attendees are asked to bring copies of their resume and come prepared to interview on the spot. For a complete list of available jobs and descriptions, visit longboatkeyclub.talentplushire.com/jobs/.
Staples gives teachers free thank-you cards
For Teacher Appreciation Week, which began Monday, Staples is providing free thank-you cards through Saturday. Bradenton's Staples is at 7210 Manatee Ave. W., in the Beachway Plaza at 75th Street West and Manatee Avenue.
Students and parents can visit local Staples stores or staples.com/giftcards. Every teacher who is thanked via social media with the hashtag #thanksamillion will also have the chance to win one of 75 Erin Condren teacher planners, according to a Staples news release.
As another part of Teacher Appreciation Week, Staples' business-to-business division, Staples Business Advantage, will donate more than $425,000 worth of MakerBot 3D printers and accessories to select schools and universities across the U.S. Staples Business Advantage will work closely with the schools to integrate the printers into the science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum to provide students access to 3D printing technologies, according to the release.
Target faces backlash for transgender bathrooms
NEW YORK -- Consumer backlash is growing against Target's stance on
what type of bathrooms its transgender customers and employees can use.
Two weeks ago, the Minneapolis-based discounter issued a statement that said customers and employees can use the restroom or fitting room that "corresponds to their gender identity." The move made Target the first major retailer to take such a prominent position on the issue, and won praise from supporters of transgender rights. But Target's position has also sparked criticism on social media.
One online petition started by a group called The American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, calls for a boycott of Target stores. It has already signed up more than 1.1 million people. And customer surveys from two research firms separately show that Target's reputation has taken a hit.
Still, analysts say it's hard to gauge the impact -- if any -- the backlash has had on Target's business.
Target's spokeswoman Molly Snyder declined to comment for the story, only saying the retailer stood by its earlier statement. She also declined to say whether the backlash has affected sales.
Target's statement comes amid a national debate over whether to restrict transgender people to using public bathrooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificate. North Carolina is facing heat for its recent ban on local anti-discrimination ordinances. Still, other states are considering legislation similar to that adopted by North Carolina.
-- Herald staff and wire reports
This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 11:25 PM with the headline "Business briefs ."